Chapter on the Qiblah (Direction of Prayer)

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."