Qiblah القبلة

concerning magnetic needles and compasses

July 16th, 2005

Know, may Allah bestow guidance on you, that is no harm in using the magnetic needles (compasses) for determining the for direction, i.e., north, south, east, and west, though when using them, one needs to be away from iron, electricity, or anything which would affect the deflection of the needle. However, using the numbered cases of those needles to determine the direction of al-Qiblah in certain countries is neither a proof nor is it sufficient unless it is in accordance with the religious signs. (Review the aforementioned saying of al-Wansharisiyy.) When checking these compasses,
some were found to be in conformity with the religious signs in some countries, and some were not. Hence, if one wants to use numbers compass, let him first check whether or not the numbers conform to the religious signs. Verily, Allah is the one who empowers his slaves to be obedient

Entry Filed under: magnetic needles and compasses