Chapter on the Qiblah (Direction of Prayer)
Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām|Volume 2|Book 1|Chapter 5
Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām
Volume 2, Book 1, Chapter 5
Chapter on the Qiblah (Direction of Prayer)
28 hadiths · 5 commentaries
عَلِيُّ بْنُ اَلْحَسَنِ اَلطَّاطَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنِ اِبْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ« فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفاً» قَالَ« أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُقِيمَ وَجْهَهُ لِلْقِبْلَةِ لَيْسَ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ مِنْ عِبَادَةِ اَلْأَوْثَانِ خَالِصاً مُخْلِصاً»
Narrated by Ali ibn al-Hasan al-Tatari from Muhammad ibn Abi Hamzah from Ibn Muskan from Abu Basir from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
I asked Him عليه السلام about the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic: ‘"So set your face toward the religion, upright (hanifan)."‘ (Surah Rum 30:30) Imam عليه السلام said: "He سبحانه وتعالى commanded him to direct his face toward the qiblah, with nothing of idol worship in it, purely and sincerely (for Allah سبحانه وتعالى)."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 45
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وَ عَنْهُ عَنِ اِبْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنِ اِبْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ« وَ أَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ» قَالَ« هَذِهِ اَلْقِبْلَةُ أَيْضاً»
Narrated from him from Ibn Abi Hamzah from Ibn Muskan from Abu Basir from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
I asked Him عليه السلام about the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic: ‘"And direct your faces at every place of worship."‘ (Surah A'raf 7:29) Imam عليه السلام said: "This also refers to the qiblah."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 45
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وَ عَنْهُ عَنِ اِبْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لَهُ مَتَى صُرِفَ رَسُولُ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ إِلَى اَلْكَعْبَةِ فَقَالَ« بَعْدَ رُجُوعِهِ مِنْ بَدْرٍ
Narrated from him from Ibn Abi Hamzah from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
I said to Him عليه السلام: "When was the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, turned toward the Ka’bah?" Imam عليه السلام said: "After his return from Badr."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 45
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 165
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ عَنِ اَلْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيِّ بْنِ فَضَّالٍ عَنْ أَبِي جَمِيلَةَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ اَلْحَلَبِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى« وَأَقِيمُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ عِنْدَ كُلِّ مَسْجِدٍ» قَالَ« مَسَاجِدُ مُحْدَثَةٌ فَأُمِرُوا أَنْ يُقِيمُوا وُجُوهَهُمْ« شَطْرَ اَلْمَسْجِدِ اَلْحَرٰامِ»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub from Ahmad from al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Faddal from Abu Jamilah from Muhammad ibn Ali al-Halabi:
Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (was asked) regarding the saying of the Exalted: ‘"And direct your faces at every place of worship,"‘ (Surah A'raf 7:29) Imam عليه السلام said: "Newly built mosques, so they were commanded to direct their faces ‘toward al-Masjid al-Haram’."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 45
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 165
اَلطَّاطَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنِ اِبْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى« وَ مٰا جَعَلْنَا اَلْقِبْلَةَ اَلَّتِي كُنْتَ عَلَيْهٰا إِلاّٰ لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ اَلرَّسُولَ مِمَّنْ يَنْقَلِبُ عَلىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ» أَمَرَهُ بِهِ قَالَ «نَعَمْ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ صَلَّى اَللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ كَانَ يُقَلِّبُ وَجْهَهُ فِي اَلسَّمَاءِ فَعَلِمَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ مَا فِي نَفْسِهِ فَقَالَ« قَدْ نَرىٰ تَقَلُّبَ وَجْهِكَ فِي اَلسَّمٰاءِ فَلَنُوَلِّيَنَّكَ قِبْلَةً تَرْضٰاهٰا»
Narrated by al-Tatari from Muhammad ibn Abi Hamzah from Ibn Muskan from Abu Basir from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
I asked Him عليه السلام about the saying of the Exalted: ‘"And We did not make the qiblah which you were upon except that We might know who follows the Messenger from those who turn back on their heels"’ (Surah Baqarah 2:143). Was He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم commanded with it?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes. Indeed, the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, may Allah سبحانه وتعالى bless him and his family, used to turn His صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم face toward the sky, and Allah سبحانه وتعالى, Mighty and Majestic, knew what was in His صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم soul, so He سبحانه وتعالى said: ‘'Indeed, We see the turning of your face toward the sky, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah that pleases you.'’" (Surah Baqarah 2:144)
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 45
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وَعَنْهُ عَنْ وُهَيْبٍ عَنْ أَبِي بَصِيرٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ: فِي قَوْلِهِ تَعَالَى« سَيَقُولُ اَلسُّفَهٰاءُ مِنَ اَلنّٰاسِ مٰا وَلاّٰهُمْ عَنْ قِبْلَتِهِمُ اَلَّتِي كٰانُوا عَلَيْهٰا قُلْ لِلّٰهِ اَلْمَشْرِقُ وَ اَلْمَغْرِبُ يَهْدِي مَنْ يَشٰاءُ إِلىٰ صِرٰاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ» فَقُلْتُ لَهُ اَللَّهُ أَمَرَهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ إِلَى اَلْبَيْتِ اَلْمُقَدَّسِ قَالَ« نَعَمْ أَ لاَ تَرَى أَنَّ اَللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَقُولُ« وَ مٰا جَعَلْنَا اَلْقِبْلَةَ اَلَّتِي كُنْتَ عَلَيْهٰا إِلاّٰ لِنَعْلَمَ مَنْ يَتَّبِعُ اَلرَّسُولَ مِمَّنْ يَنْقَلِبُ عَلىٰ عَقِبَيْهِ وَإِنْ كٰانَتْ لَكَبِيرَةً إِلاّٰ عَلَى اَلَّذِينَ هَدَى اَللّٰهُ وَمٰا كٰانَ اَللّٰهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمٰانَكُمْ إِنَّ اَللّٰهَ بِالنّٰاسِ لَرَؤُفٌ رَحِيمٌ»» قَالَ« إِنَّ بَنِي عَبْدِ اَلْأَشْهَلِ أَتَوْهُمْ وَ هُمْ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ وَ قَدْ صَلَّوْا رَكْعَتَيْنِ إِلَى بَيْتِ اَلْمَقْدِسِ فَقِيلَ لَهُمْ إِنَّ نَبِيَّكُمْ قَدْ صُرِفَ إِلَى اَلْكَعْبَةِ فَتَحَوَّلَ اَلنِّسَاءُ مَكَانَ اَلرِّجَالِ وَ اَلرِّجَالُ مَكَانَ اَلنِّسَاءِ وَ جَعَلُوا اَلرَّكْعَتَيْنِ اَلْبَاقِيَتَيْنِ إِلَى اَلْكَعْبَةِ فَصَلَّوْا صَلاَةً وَاحِدَةً إِلَى قِبْلَتَيْنِ فَلِذَلِكَ سُمِّيَ مَسْجِدُهُمْ مَسْجِدَ اَلْقِبْلَتَيْنِ»
Narrated from him from Wuhayb from Abu Basir from one of the two (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them:
(Imam عليه السلام was asked) regarding the saying of the Exalted: ‘"The foolish among the people will say: What has turned them away from their qiblah, which they were upon? Say: To Allah سبحانه وتعالى belong the East and the West. He guides whom He wills to a straight path."’ (Surah Baqarah 2:142) I (Abu Basir) said to Him عليه السلام: "Did Allah سبحانه وتعالى command Him صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم to pray toward Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem)?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes. Do you not see that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, says: ‘'And We did not make the qiblah which you were upon except that We might know who follows the Messenger from those who turn back on their heels. And indeed, it was difficult except for those whom Allah سبحانه وتعالى has guided. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى would never let your faith go to waste. Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى is Kind and Merciful to the people.'‘" (Surah Baqarah 2:143) Imam عليه السلام said: "The tribe of Banu Abd al-Ashhal came to them while they were in prayer and had already prayed two rak’ahs facing Bayt al-Maqdis. It was said to them, 'Indeed, your Prophet has now been directed toward the Ka’bah.' So the women switched places with the men, and the men switched places with the women, and they made the remaining two rak’ahs facing the Ka’bah. Thus, they prayed one prayer toward two qiblahs. For that reason, their mosque was named 'Masjid al-Qiblatayn' (the Mosque of the Two Qiblahs)."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 46
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 166
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنِ اَلْحَسَنِ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اَللَّهِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ اَلْحَجَّالِ عَنْ بَعْضِ رِجَالِهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ:« أَنَّ اَللَّهَ تَعَالَى جَعَلَ اَلْكَعْبَةَ قِبْلَةً لِأَهْلِ اَلْمَسْجِدِ وَجَعَلَ اَلْمَسْجِدَ قِبْلَةً لِأَهْلِ اَلْحَرَمِ وَجَعَلَ اَلْحَرَمَ قِبْلَةً لِأَهْلِ اَلدُّنْيَا»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya from al-Hasan ibn al-Husayn from ‘Ubaydullah ibn Muhammad al-Hajjal from some of his men:
Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, made the Ka’bah the qiblah for the people of the Masjid, and made the Masjid the qiblah for the people of the Haram, and made the Haram the qiblah for the people of the world."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 47
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
أَبُو اَلْعَبَّاسِ اِبْنُ عُقْدَةَ عَنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ حَازِمٍ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا تَغْلِبُ بْنُ اَلضَّحَّاكِ قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا بِشْرُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ اَلْجُعْفِيُّ أَبُو اَلْوَلِيدِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ جَعْفَرَ بْنَ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ يَقُولُ:« اَلْبَيْتُ قِبْلَةٌ لِأَهْلِ اَلْمَسْجِدِ وَ اَلْمَسْجِدُ قِبْلَةٌ لِأَهْلِ اَلْحَرَمِ وَ اَلْحَرَمُ قِبْلَةٌ لِلنَّاسِ جَمِيعاً»
Narrated by Abu al-Abbas Ibn ‘Uqdah from al-Husayn ibn Muhammad ibn Hazim, who said: Taghlib ibn al-Dahhak narrated to us, who said: Bishr ibn Ja’far al-Ju’fi Abu al-Walid narrated to us, who said:
I (Bishr ibn Ja’far) heard (Imam) Ja’far ibn Muhammad عليه السلام, peace be upon him, say: "The House (Ka’bah) is the qiblah for the people of the Mosque, and the Mosque is the qiblah for the people of the Haram, and the Haram is the qiblah for all people."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 47
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 166
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ رَفَعَهُ قَالَ: قِيلَ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ لِمَ صَارَ اَلرَّجُلُ يَنْحَرِفُ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ إِلَى اَلْيَسَارِ فَقَالَ« لِأَنَّ لِلْكَعْبَةِ سِتَّةَ حُدُودٍ أَرْبَعَةٌ مِنْهَا عَلَى يَسَارِكَ وَ اِثْنَانِ مِنْهَا عَلَى يَمِينِكَ فَمِنْ أَجْلِ ذَلِكَ وَقَعَ اَلتَّحْرِيفُ عَلَى اَلْيَسَارِ»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ya’qub from Ali ibn Muhammad, who raised it, said:
It was said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: "Why does a person turn slightly to the left during prayer?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Because the Ka’bah has six sides, four of them are on your left and two of them are on your right. Therefore, the slight turning is toward the left."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 47
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وَ سَأَلَ اَلْمُفَضَّلُ بْنُ عُمَرَ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَ: عَنِ اَلتَّحْرِيفِ لِأَصْحَابِنَا ذَاتَ اَلْيَسَارِ عَنِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَ عَنِ اَلسَّبَبِ فِيهِ فَقَالَ «إِنَّ اَلْحَجَرَ اَلْأَسْوَدَ لَمَّا أُنْزِلَ بِهِ مِنَ اَلْجَنَّةِ وَ وُضِعَ فِي مَوْضِعِهِ جُعِلَ أَنْصَابُ اَلْحَرَمِ مِنْ حَيْثُ يَلْحَقُهُ اَلنُّورُ نُورُ اَلْحَجَرِ فَهِيَ عَنْ يَمِينِ اَلْكَعْبَةِ أَرْبَعَةُ أَمْيَالٍ وَ عَنْ يَسَارِهَا ثَمَانِيَةُ أَمْيَالٍ كُلُّهُ اِثْنَا عَشَرَ مِيلاً فَإِذَا اِنْحَرَفَ اَلْإِنْسَانُ ذَاتَ اَلْيَمِينِ خَرَجَ عَنْ حَدِّ اَلْقِبْلَةِ لِقِلَّةِ أَنْصَابِ اَلْحَرَمِ وَ إِذَا اِنْحَرَفَ ذَاتَ اَلْيَسَارِ لَمْ يَكُنْ خَارِجاً عَنْ حَدِّ اَلْقِبْلَةِ»
Al-Mufaddal ibn ‘Umar asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about the slight turning to the left from the qiblah by our companions and about the reason for it. Imam عليه السلام said: "Indeed, when the Black Stone was brought down from Paradise and placed in its position, the boundaries (ansab) of the Haram were set according to the extent reached by the light, the light of the Stone. So the boundary on the right side of the Ka’bah is four miles, and on its left side is eight miles, altogether twelve miles. Therefore, if a person turns to the right, he exits the boundary of the qiblah due to the shorter extent of the Haram markers on that side. But if he turns to the left, he is not outside the boundary of the qiblah."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 47
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
اَلطَّاطَرِيُّ عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ سَمَاعَةَ عَنْ عَلاَءِ بْنِ رَزِينٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَحَدِهِمَا عَلَيْهِمَا اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ قَالَ« ضَعِ اَلْجَدْيَ فِي قَفَاكَ وَ صَلِّ»
Narrated by al-Tatari from Ja’far ibn Sama’ah from al-’Alaʾ ibn Razin from Muhammad ibn Muslim from one of the two (Imams عليه السلام), peace be upon them, who said:
I asked Him عليه السلام about the qiblah. Imam عليه السلام said: "Place al-Jady (the Pole Star) behind you and pray."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 48
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
قال الشيخ رحمه الله وإذا اطبقت السماء بالغيم فلم يجد الانسان دليلا عليها بالشمس والنجوم فليصل الى أربع جهات وان لم يقدر على ذلك لسبب من الاسباب المانعة من الصلاة أربع مرات فليصل الى أي جهة شاء وذلك مجز مع الاضطرار
The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, said: "And if the sky is completely covered with clouds and a person cannot determine the qiblah by means of the sun or stars, then he should pray facing all four directions. And if he is unable to do so due to any reason that prevents him from praying four times, then he should pray facing whichever direction he chooses, and that is sufficient in a state of necessity."
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنِ اَلْعَبَّاسِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ بْنِ اَلْمُغِيرَةِ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ عَبَّادٍ عَنْ خِرَاشٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لَهُ جُعِلْتُ فِدَاكَ إِنَّ هَؤُلاَءِ اَلْمُخَالِفِينَ عَلَيْنَا يَقُولُونَ إِذَا أُطْبِقَتْ عَلَيْنَا أَوْ أَظْلَمَتْ فَلَمْ نَعْرِفِ اَلسَّمَاءَ كُنَّا وَ أَنْتُمْ سَوَاءً فِي اَلاِجْتِهَادِ فَقَالَ« لَيْسَ كَمَا يَقُولُونَ إِذَا كَانَ ذَلِكَ فَلْيُصَلَّ لِأَرْبَعِ وُجُوهٍ»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub from al-Abbas from Abdullah ibn al-Mughirah from Isma’il ibn Abbad from Khirash from one of our companions from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
I said to Him عليه السلام: "May I be your ransom, these opponents of ours say that when the sky is covered or darkened so we cannot recognize the direction of the sky, we and you are the same in exercising ijtihad (independent judgment)." Imam عليه السلام said: "It is not as they say. When that happens, then one must pray in four directions."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 48
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 166
وَ رَوَى اَلْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ إِسْمَاعِيلَ بْنِ عَبَّادٍ عَنْ خِرَاشٍ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَصْحَابِنَا عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَ: مِثْلَهُ.
Narrated by al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Isma’il ibn ‘Abbad from Khirash from one of our companions from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: the same (report).
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 49
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
فأما ما يدل على ان التحري يجزي عند الضرورة ما رواه
As for what indicates that estimation (taharri) is sufficient in cases of necessity, it is what has been narrated:
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ حَرِيزٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ قَالَ قَالَ أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ:« يُجْزِي اَلتَّحَرِّي أَبَداً إِذَا لَمْ يُعْلَمْ أَيْنَ وَجْهُ اَلْقِبْلَةِ»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ya’qub from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hammad from Hariz from Zurarah, who said:
Abu Ja’far عليه السلام said: "Estimation (taharri) is always sufficient when the direction of the qiblah is not known."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 49
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وَعَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عِيسَى عَنْ سَمَاعَةَ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنِ اَلصَّلاَةِ بِاللَّيْلِ وَ اَلنَّهَارِ إِذَا لَمْ تُرَ اَلشَّمْسُ وَ لاَ اَلْقَمَرُ وَ لاَ اَلنُّجُومُ قَالَ« اِجْتَهِدْ رَأْيَكَ وَ تَعَمَّدِ اَلْقِبْلَةَ جُهْدَكَ»
Narrated Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Uthman ibn ‘Isa from Sama’ah, said:
I asked Him عليه السلام about praying during the night and the day when neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars can be seen. Imam عليه السلام said: "Exert your reasoning and aim toward the qiblah as best you can."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 49
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
الحسين بن سعيد عن الحسن عن زرعة عن سماعة قال سألته عن الصلاة بالليل والنهار إذا لم تر الشمس ولا القمر ولا النجوم قال تجتهد رأيك وتعمد القبلة جهدك
Narrated by al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from al-Hasan from Zur’ah from Sama’ah, who said:
I asked Him عليه السلام about prayer during the night and day when neither the sun, nor the moon, nor the stars are visible. Imam عليه السلام said: "Exert your reasoning and aim toward the qiblah as best you can."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 49
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وليس لاحد أن يقول لم حملتم هذه الاخبار على حال الاضطرار دون حال الاختيار؟ وهلا جاز التحرى في كل وقت التبس فيه القبلة؟ لانا متى لم نحمل هذه الاخبار على حال الاضطرار لم يكن لما قدمناه من الخبرين بأنه يصلي الى أربع جهات معنى لان على مقتضى ظاهر هذه الاحاديث يجزي التحري ولا يحتاج في حال أن يصلي الى أربع جهات فيسقط متضمنهما جملة وإذا حملنا هذه الاخبار على حال الضرورة وذينك الحديثين على حال الاختيار نكون قد جمعنا بينها على وجه لا تنافي بينها والذي يدل على ما قلناه من أن المراد بهذه الاخبار حال الاضطرار دون حال الاختيار
And no one has the right to say: ‘Why have you interpreted these narrations as applying only to a state of necessity and not also to a state of choice? Why should estimation (taharri) not be permissible at any time when the direction of the qiblah is uncertain?’ Because, if we do not interpret these narrations as referring to a state of necessity, then the two previously mentioned reports, that one should pray toward four directions, would have no meaning. According to the apparent sense of these hadiths, taharri would be sufficient, and there would be no need to pray in four directions, thus their content would be entirely negated. However, if we interpret these narrations as applying to a case of necessity, and those two reports as referring to the state of choice, then we will have reconciled them in a way that avoids contradiction. And what supports what we have said, that the meaning of these narrations is in cases of necessity, not choice, is the following:
مَا رَوَاهُ اَلطَّاطَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ حَمَّادٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ تَبَيَّنَتْ لَهُ اَلْقِبْلَةُ وَقَدْ دَخَلَ فِي وَقْتِ صَلاَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ« يُعِيدُهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ هَذِهِ اَلَّتِي قَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُهَا»
Narrated by al-Tatari from Muhammad ibn Ziyad from Hammad from ‘Amr ibn Yahya, who said:
I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about a man who prayed not facing the qiblah, and then the correct direction of the qiblah became clear to him after he had entered the time of another prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "He must repeat that prayer before performing the one whose time has now entered."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 50
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
وَ عَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ عَنْ حَمَّادِ بْنِ عُثْمَانَ عَنْ مَعْمَرِ بْنِ يَحْيَى قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ اَلْقِبْلَةُ وَقَدْ دَخَلَ وَقْتُ صَلاَةٍ أُخْرَى قَالَ« يُصَلِّيهَا قَبْلَ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ هَذِهِ اَلَّتِي دَخَلَ وَقْتُهَا إِلاَّ أَنْ يَخَافَ فَوْتَ اَلَّتِي دَخَلَ وَقْتُهَا» فلو لم يكن المراد بتلك الاحاديث حال الاضطرار لم يكن لايجاب الاعادة بعد خروج الوقت معنى حسب ما تضمنه هذان الخبران لان ظاهرهما يقضي انه متى تحرى القبلة وصلى ثم خرج الوقت فانه اجزأت صلاته
Narrated from him from Muhammad ibn Ziyad from Hammad ibn Uthman from Ma’mar ibn Yahya, who said:
I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about a man who prayed not facing the qiblah, and then the correct direction of the qiblah became clear to him after the time of another prayer had entered. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should repeat the former prayer before performing the one whose time has entered, unless he fears missing the one whose time has now entered."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 50
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 167
قال الشيخ رحمه الله ومن اخطأ القبلة أو سها عنها ثم عرف ذلك والوقت باق أعاد فان عرفه بعد خروج الوقت لم يكن عليه اعادة فيما مضى اللهم إلا أن يكون قد صلى مستدبر القبلة فيجب عليه حينئذ اعادة الصلاة كان الوقت باقيا أو منقضيا
So if the meaning of those hadiths were not referring to a state of necessity, then the requirement to repeat the prayer after the time has passed, as these two narrations indicate, would have no meaning. Because their apparent meaning implies that whenever a person estimates the direction of the qiblah (taharra al-qiblah) and performs the prayer, and then the time exits, his prayer is valid. The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, said: "And whoever errs in the direction of the qiblah or forgets it, then realizes it while the time remains, he must repeat (the prayer). But if he realizes it after the time has passed, there is no obligation upon him to repeat what has passed, except if he had prayed with his back to the qiblah, in which case he must repeat the prayer, whether the time remains or has ended."
عَلِيُّ بْنُ مَهْزِيَارَ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ بْنِ أَيُّوبَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اَلرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ:« إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَ اِسْتَبَانَ لَكَ أَنَّكَ صَلَّيْتَ وَ أَنْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَ أَنْتَ فِي وَقْتٍ فَأَعِدْ وَ إِنْ فَاتَكَ اَلْوَقْتُ فَلاَ تُعِدْ»
Narrated by Ali ibn Mahzyar from Fadalah ibn Ayyub from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdillah
Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: "If you pray while not facing the qiblah, and it becomes clear to you that you prayed not facing the qiblah while still within the time (of that prayer), then repeat it. But if the time has passed, then do not repeat it."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 50
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 167
وَ عَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَنِ اِبْنِ أَبِي عُمَيْرٍ عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ سَالِمٍ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ قَالَ: قُلْتُ لِأَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَ اَلرَّجُلُ يَكُونُ فِي قَفْرٍ مِنَ اَلْأَرْضِ فِي يَوْمِ غَيْمٍ فَيُصَلِّي لِغَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ يُصْحِي فَيَعْلَمُ أَنَّهُ صَلَّى لِغَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ كَيْفَ يَصْنَعُ قَالَ« إِنْ كَانَ فِي وَقْتٍ فَلْيُعِدْ صَلاَتَهُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مَضَى اَلْوَقْتُ فَحَسْبُهُ اِجْتِهَادُهُ»
Narrated from him from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hisham ibn Salim from Sulayman ibn Khalid, who said:
I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: "A man is in a remote land on a cloudy day and prays not facing the qiblah, then the sky clears and he realizes that he prayed in the wrong direction, what should he do?" Imam عليه السلام said: "If he is still within the time (of that prayer), then he should repeat his prayer. But if the time has passed, then his effort (ijtihad) suffices him."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 51
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
اَلطَّاطَرِيُّ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَبِي حَمْزَةَ عَنْ عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ بْنِ مُسْكَانَ عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ خَالِدٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَ: مِثْلَهُ.
Narrated by al-Tatari from Muhammad ibn Abi Hamzah from Abdullah ibn Muskan from Sulayman ibn Khalid from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: the same (report).
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 51
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 167
وعنه عن محمد بن زياد عن أبان بن عثمان عن عبد الرحمن ابن أبي عبد الله عن أبي عبد الله عليه السلام قال قال أبو عبد الله عليه السلام إذا صليت وأنت على غير القبلة واستبان لك انك على غير القبلة وأنت في وقت فأعد وان فاتك فلا تعد
Narrated from him from Muhammad ibn Ziyad from Aban ibn Uthman from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abi Abdillah from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
Abu Abdillah عليه السلام said: "If you pray while not facing the qiblah, and it becomes clear to you that you were not facing the qiblah while you are still within the time (of that prayer), then repeat it. But if the time has passed, then do not repeat it."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 51
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 167
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ مَحْبُوبٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ يَعْقُوبَ بْنِ يَقْطِينٍ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ عَبْداً صَالِحاً عَنْ رَجُلٍ صَلَّى فِي يَوْمِ سَحَابٍ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ طَلَعَتِ اَلشَّمْسُ وَ هُوَ فِي وَقْتٍ أَ يُعِيدُ اَلصَّلاَةَ إِذَا كَانَ قَدْ صَلَّى عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ وَإِنْ كَانَ قَدْ تَحَرَّى اَلْقِبْلَةَ بِجُهْدِهِ أَ تُجْزِيهِ صَلاَتُهُ فَقَالَ« يُعِيدُ مَا كَانَ فِي وَقْتٍ فَإِذَا ذَهَبَ اَلْوَقْتُ فَلاَ إِعَادَةَ عَلَيْهِ»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Ya’qub ibn Yaqtin, who said:
I asked the Righteous Servant (Abd Salih عليه السلام) about a man who prayed on a cloudy day not facing the qiblah, and then the sun rose while he was still within the prayer time. Should he repeat the prayer if he had prayed not facing the qiblah, even if he had made his best effort to determine its direction? Does his prayer suffice him? Imam عليه السلام said: "He must repeat what was within the time. But once the time has passed, there is no repetition upon him."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 51
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 167
عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ عَنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَنْ فَضَالَةَ عَنْ أَبَانٍ عَنْ زُرَارَةَ عَنْ أَبِي جَعْفَرٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ:« إِذَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ فَاسْتَبَانَ لَكَ قَبْلَ أَنْ تُصْبِحَ أَنَّكَ صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ فَأَعِدْ صَلاَتَكَ»
Narrated from him from Ahmad from al-Husayn from Fadalah from Aban from Zurarah:
Abu Ja’far عليه السلام said: "If you prayed not facing the qiblah, and it becomes clear to you before morning that you had prayed not facing the qiblah, then repeat your prayer."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 52
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 168
عَنْهُ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ اَلْحُسَيْنِ عَنِ اَلْحَجَّالِ عَنْ ثَعْلَبَةَ بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَمَّارٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ قَالَ: قُلْتُ اَلرَّجُلُ يَقُومُ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ ثُمَّ يَنْظُرُ بَعْدَ مَا فَرَغَ فَيَرَى أَنَّهُ قَدِ اِنْحَرَفَ عَنِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ يَمِيناً وَ شِمَالاً قَالَ« قَدْ مَضَتْ صَلاَتُهُ وَ مَا بَيْنَ اَلْمَشْرِقِ وَ اَلْمَغْرِبِ قِبْلَةٌ»
Narrated from him from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from al-Hajjal from Tha’labah ibn Maymun from Mu’awiyah ibn ‘Ammar from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام, who said:
I said (to Imam عليه السلام): "A man stands in prayer, and then after finishing he notices that he had deviated from the qiblah to the right or to the left." Imam عليه السلام said: "His prayer is valid. What lies between the East and the West is qiblah."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 52
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 168
عَنْهُ عَنْ أَحْمَدَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ عَنْ عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ بْنِ اَلْمُغِيرَةِ عَنِ اَلْقَاسِمِ بْنِ اَلْوَلِيدِ قَالَ: سَأَلْتُهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ تَبَيَّنَ لَهُ وَ هُوَ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ أَنَّهُ عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ قَالَ« يَسْتَقْبِلُهَا إِذَا أُثْبِتَ ذَلِكَ وَ إِنْ كَانَ قَدْ فَرَغَ مِنْهَا فَلاَ يُعِيدُهَا»
Narrated from him from Ahmad from his father from Abdullah ibn al-Mughirah from al-Qasim ibn al-Walid, who said:
I asked him about a man who realizes during his prayer that he is not facing the qiblah. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should turn toward it if that is confirmed. But if he has already finished the prayer, then he does not need to repeat it."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 52
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَعْقُوبَ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَحْمَدَ بْنِ اَلْحَسَنِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ مُصَدِّقِ بْنِ صَدَقَةَ عَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ مُوسَى اَلسَّابَاطِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اَللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ: فِي رَجُلٍ صَلَّى عَلَى غَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ فَيَعْلَمُ وَ هُوَ فِي اَلصَّلاَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ قَالَ« إِنْ كَانَ مُتَوَجِّهاً فِيمَا بَيْنَ اَلْمَشْرِقِ وَ اَلْمَغْرِبِ فَلْيُحَوِّلْ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى اَلْقِبْلَةِ حِينَ يَعْلَمُ وَ إِنْ كَانَ مُتَوَجِّهاً إِلَى دُبُرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ فَلْيَقْطَعْ ثُمَّ يُحَوِّلُ وَجْهَهُ إِلَى اَلْقِبْلَةِ ثُمَّ يَفْتَتِحُ اَلصَّلاَةَ»
Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ya’qub from Muhammad ibn Yahya from Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn al-Hasan ibn Ali from ‘Amr ibn Sa’id from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah from ‘Ammar ibn Musa al-Sabati: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام (was asked) regarding a man who prayed not facing the qiblah, and he realizes this while still in his prayer, before completing it. Imam عليه السلام said: "If he is facing a direction between the East and the West, then he should turn his face toward the qiblah when he becomes aware. But if he is facing the opposite of the qiblah (his back toward it), then he should stop the prayer, then turn his face toward the qiblah, and then begin the prayer anew."
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 52
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb, p. 168
اَلْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ بْنِ اَلْحُصَيْنِ قَالَ: كَتَبْتُ إِلَى عَبْدٍ صَالِحٍ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ اَلرَّجُلُ يُصَلِّي فِي يَوْمِ غَيْمٍ فِي فَلاَةٍ مِنَ اَلْأَرْضِ وَ لاَ يَعْرِفُ اَلْقِبْلَةَ فَيُصَلِّي حَتَّى إِذَا فَرَغَ مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ بَدَتْ لَهُ اَلشَّمْسُ فَإِذَا هُوَ قَدْ صَلَّى لِغَيْرِ اَلْقِبْلَةِ أَ يَعْتَدُّ بِصَلاَتِهِ أَمْ يُعِيدُهَا فَكَتَبَ« يُعِيدُهَا مَا لَمْ يَفُتْهُ اَلْوَقْتُ أَوَ لَمْ يَعْلَمْ أَنَّ اَللَّهَ يَقُولُ وَقَوْلُهُ اَلْحَقُّ« فَأَيْنَمٰا تُوَلُّوا فَثَمَّ وَجْهُ اَللّٰهِ»
Narrated by al-Husayn ibn Sa’id from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, who said:
I (Muhammad ibn al-Husayn) wrote to the Righteous Servant (Abd Salih عليه السلام), peace be upon him, asking; “A man prays on a cloudy day in an open desert and does not know the direction of the qiblah, so he prays, and then after finishing his prayer, the sun appears and he realizes that he had prayed in the wrong direction. Should he count his prayer as valid, or must he repeat it?” He عليه السلام, peace be upon him, wrote in reply: "He should repeat it, as long as the time has not passed. Do you not know that Allah سبحانه وتعالى says, and His سبحانه وتعالى word is the truth, ‘So wherever you turn, there is the Face of Allah سبحانه وتعالى’?" (Surah Baqarah 2:115)
- Tahdhīb al-Aḥkām fī Sharḥ al-Muqniʿah, vol. 2, p. 52
- Ṣaḥīḥ al-Tahdhīb
Commentary #1