How to Find the Qibla for Prayer

Last Updated: March 3, 2023

For people of the Muslim faith, knowing the qibla, or direction of prayer, is very important. This direction is toward the Ka'bah in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. There are several methods that one can use to orient themselves in the correct direction when in an unfamiliar location.

Steps

1
Know where in the world you are in relation to Makkah (Mecca). While the common misconception is that Muslims always pray facing east, that's only true if you're west of Makkah. In the US, the direction is east-southeast. If you are in Japan you would face west-southwest, and if in South Africa, you would face north-northeast.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using the sun

1
Use the sun. For millennia, navigators have relied on the sun to know their direction. Simply knowing where the sun rises and sets can get you in the general direction of Mecca.^{[2]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using a sundial

1
Make a sundial. Find level ground, and before noon, place a stick or other vertical object that's about 3 feet (1m) high. ^{[3]
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2
Make a mark on the ground at the tip of the shadow.
3
Measure the length of the shadow, and draw a circle around the stick using the shadow length as the radius.
4
As the day progresses, the shadow will shorten and move away from the circle. It will eventually start to lengthen as the day wears on, and then touch the circle again. At that point, make another mark, and draw a line between the two marks you made.
- The line is west to east, with the first point being west, the second being east.
5
Draw a line perpendicular to the west-east line, and this is your north-south line.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using a watch

1
Use a watch. Using any analog watch with an hour and minute hand will allow you to find directions.
- In the northern hemisphere. Hold the watch horizontally, and point the hour hand towards the sun.
- The direction that lies midway between the hour hand and 12 o'clock on your watch is south. From there, you can easily determine the other directions.
- In the southern hemisphere. Hold the watch horizontally, and point the twelve o'clock mark at the sun.
- The direction that lies halfway between 12 o'clock and the hour hand will be north.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using a compass

1
Use a compass. This tried and true method will not tell you where the Qiblah is located, but if you know where you are in relation to Makkah, it's far more accurate than a stick in the ground. More detailed instructions on how to find the Qibla using a compass can be found here.
- Get yourself a Qibla compass.
- Find out the direction to Mecca from you location.
  1. Hold out your compass flat, wait for the dial to settle. Turn towards the direction to Makkah for your location. Done.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using advanced technology

1
Use advanced technology.
- There are over a dozen different iPhone or iPad free apps (look like Athan Pro or Qibla) that will use the built-in GPS and compass to point in exactly the correct direction no matter where in the world you are.
- The internet has sites that will calculate the direction that is shortest distance to al Qiblah.

Community Q&A

Question

Is the direction of the Qibla where the sun rises?

Community Answer

No, the sun rises in the east. The direction of the Qibla varies depending on your location.
Question

How do I know what direction to look while praying the Qibla?

Laith M. Srhan

Community Answer

Use a mobile app to locate Qibla at your area. Use iSalam: Qibla Compass for IOS or Qibla Compass for Android.
Question

What do I need to say at the beginning of each namaz?

Community Answer

Subhanaka Allahahuma Wabehamdeka Watabarakasmuka Watala Jaduka Wailaha Garoka.

Warnings

The sun rises and sets in different places depending on the time of year (summer vs. winter) and your location on the globe. Also, finding direction using the sun becomes less reliable the closer you are to the equator.

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