It is stated that we have a mosque in which the qiblah deviates from its correct direction by approximately three degrees, according to the compass prepared to determine the direction of the Ka'bah, and people have been accustomed to
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The questioner : It is stated that we have a mosque in which the qiblah deviates from its correct direction by approximately three degrees, according to the compass prepared to determine the direction of the Ka'bah, and people have been accustomed to praying according to the direction of the mosque because many of them are unaware of the mosque's deviation from the qiblah. Does this matter affect the validity of the prayer? And is it obligatory to correct the mosque, or is it permissible to leave it as it is?
The Shaykh : If the deviation does not take the person outside the direction, then it does not harm, and facing the correct direction is preferable without a doubt. However, if this deviation takes the person outside the direction of the qiblah, such as facing south while the qiblah is east, or facing north while the qiblah is east, or facing east while the qiblah is south, then there is no doubt that the mosque must be corrected, or one must face the direction of the qiblah, even if it contradicts the direction of the mosque.
The questioner : This is a message from the listener Ahmad Muhammad al-Zahrani.
The Shaykh : If the deviation does not take the person outside the direction, then it does not harm, and facing the correct direction is preferable without a doubt. However, if this deviation takes the person outside the direction of the qiblah, such as facing south while the qiblah is east, or facing north while the qiblah is east, or facing east while the qiblah is south, then there is no doubt that the mosque must be corrected, or one must face the direction of the qiblah, even if it contradicts the direction of the mosque.
The questioner : This is a message from the listener Ahmad Muhammad al-Zahrani.