Chapter on the Qiblah (Direction of Prayer)

The Shaykh (Al-Mufid), may Allah سبحانه وتعالى support him, said: "The qiblah is the Ka’bah," up to his statement: "And whoever wishes to determine its direction during the rest of the night, let him place the constellation of al-Jady (Polaris) on his right shoulder, for he will be facing it." Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, said: ‘"Indeed We see the turning of your face toward the heaven, so We shall surely turn you to a qiblah that pleases you. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you are, turn your faces toward it."‘ (Surah Baqarah 2:144) And He سبحانه وتعالى said: ‘"And from wherever you set out, turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah سبحانه وتعالى is not unaware of what you do."‘ (Surah Baqarah 2:149) And He سبحانه وتعالى said: ‘"And from wherever you set out, turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you are, turn your faces toward it."‘ (Surah Baqarah 2:150) So Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, has obligated by the apparent meaning of these words the facing of al-Masjid al-Haram for those who are far from it. The meaning of ‘shatr’ here is "direction" or "toward." Hudhail said: "I say to Umm Zunba’: Lead the breasts of the camels toward (shatr) Banu Tamim." And Lafit al-Ayadi said: "So a terror has overshadowed you from the direction (shatr) of your frontier, A darkness that covers you with layers."