AN ACCURACY TEST OF QIBLA DIRECTION MEASUREMENT OF MOSQUES AND PRAYER ROOMS IN BANDUNG CITY
Fahmi Fatwa Rosyadi Satria Hamdani (a*), Encep Abdul Rojak (a), Ummu Rosyidah (b)

a) Faculty of Sharia, Bandung Islamic University
Jalan Ranggagading No. 8 Bandung 46116, Indonesia
*fatwa19[at]unisba.ac.id
b) Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Bandung Islamic University

Abstract

Qibla direction plays a pivotal role and is one of the requirements for the validity of prayer (salah). If someone performs the prayer without facing the qibla, the prayer is considered to be invalid accordingly. The mosque and prayer room buildings around the campus of Bandung Islamic University, precisely in Bandung Wetan district, are necessary to be re-examined for the accuracy of their qibla direction seeing that there are several mosques found by researchers are not in accordance with the actual qibla direction. This study aims to verify the accuracy of the direction of the mosques and the prayer rooms in order that it can be mapped which ones follow the accurate direction of the qibla and vice versa. A qualitative approach was used in this study so as the data obtained directly from field observations could be analyzed for its validity. The measurement of qibla direction is inseparable from a number of cosmographical instruments such as theodolite, mizwala, compass sunto, google earth, and GPS. The results of this study are that most mosque buildings merely make use of a magnetic compass to locate qibla direction without firstly carrying out calibration. The largest deviation is 7°6 (seven degrees six minutes) to the south.

Keywords: Qibla direction accuracy; mosque; prayer

Topic: Family Law of Islam

Link: https://ifory.id/abstract-plain/AwmUhQakED2L

Web Format | Corresponding Author (Fahmi Fatwa Rosyadi Satria Hamdani)