Seminar Kebangsaan Matematik & Masyarakat 2008

DETERMINATION OF QIBLA DIRECTION USING MODERNAPPROACH

Shahrul Nizam Ishak And

Jamaludin Md Ali

1 & 2

School of Mathematical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 Penang.E-mail:

jamaluma@cs.usm.my

Abstract

The problem of determining the direction of qibla is a problem of mathematical geography. The objective of this study is to determine andcompare the method to be used for determining qibla direction at NortheastPenang. Thus, this paper describes about the mathematical calculation of qibla by using modern approach. The mathematical methods used wereSpherical Trigonometry Method (STM) and Vector Calculus Method (VCM).The discussion is confined to the scientific aspects of the subject and thereligion rulings are analyzed only for an underlying scientific assumption andalso for knowledge.

Keywords

Qibla , Qibla Direction , Mathematical Calculation.

Introduction

In the Holy Quran (chapter II: verse 144), Muslims are enjoined to face the sacredprecincts in Makkah during their prayers. The Kaabah was adapted by the ProphetMuhammad as a physical focus of the new Muslim community and the direction of prayer (qibla) was to serve as the sacred direction in Islam until the present day.Islamic tradition prescribes that certain acts such as burial ceremony, recitation of theQuran, announcing the praying time (

azan

) and the ritual slaughter of animals forfood have to be performed in the qibla direction whereas expectoration and bodilyfunctions should be performed in the perpendicular direction.However, praying (

solah

) five times a day as stated in the Holy Quran has beencompulsory upon all mature Muslim as an individual obligatory (

fardhu ‘ain

). Thus,in order to perform the prayer, basically Muslims have to learn how to perform it bylearning the law of prayer (

fiqh solah

) and also understand the philosophy behind theprayer itself. Moreover, the

solah

must be performed with sincere reverence andhumility (

khushu‘

), otherwise it is considered invalid.

Solah

is performed by facing tothe direction of qibla (towards the Kaabah in Makkah) until the day of the judgment.According to Halim

et al.

[1] stated that all of the Four-Imam in Islam communitysuch as

Imam Maliki, Imam Hanafi, Imam Hanbali and Imam Syafie

had agreed thatwhoever wants to perform the prayer must direct their face and chest in the directionof the Sacred Mosque (Kaabah) in Makkah. Mughniyah [2] stated that according toImam as-Syafie has briefly explained that it is compulsory for every Muslim to facetowards Kaabah while performing their prayer regardless of their distance fromKaabah. If a person is able to determine the accurate qibla direction by himself thenhe or she is expected to face towards its, otherwise it is acceptable to determine theqibla direction based on his or her ability.

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Seminar Kebangsaan Matematik & Masyarakat 2008

Hence, base on concerning to the problem face by the Muslim, an action has to betaken in order to provide right information to the Islamic community. So, to determineaccurate qibla is a Muslim responsibility. Thus, in modern eras, the determination of qibla has changed from traditional approach to modern approach. Thus, many of theMuslim scholars have determined ways and methods regarding the qibla direction.Therefore, this paper will focus on the mathematics calculation in determining theqibla direction, which is referring to the location of the cities that depends on itslatitude and longitude.

Methodology

In view of the present situation, it is appropriate to briefly outline the methodologyinvolved in qibla determination. The reasons because not many people understand thebasic formulation and occasionally confusion arise. The determination of the directionof qibla involves solution in terms of latitude and longitude parameters. Therefore, forall of the examples given were based on the geographical coordinate that wereadapted from Halim

et al.

[1] where Kaabah,

(212515.6,394929.1)

NorthEast

′ ′′ ′ ′′° °

and the geographical coordinate placeor point of interest that have been chosen by the writers which is situated at NortheastDistrict of Penang ; Acheh Mosque,

(52439,1001840)

NorthEast

′ ′′ ′ ′′° °

[Calculation done on other location should correspond to the identified place but thecoordinate for Makkah (Kaabah) is fixed.]

Problem.

The problem involves the solution using the spherical triangular formed bythe point or place interest, Makkah (Kaabah) and the North Pole. We are interested inonly one point of the two angles, which is the direction of Kaabah. Thus, we need tosolve for the angle

. Note that the writers will focus on the

Formula

given below

because it is more accurate and easy to understand.

Method I. Spherical Trigonometry Method (STM)

Generally, to perform calculation with spherical triangles it is necessary to use theformulae of

spherical trigonometry

. There are three different types specialtrigonometrical formula for usage in spherical astronomy which can be found in Ilyas[3]. This formula was derived from four-part formula.

Formula.