How to determine direction of Qiblah: Classical or Traditional Approach

Assalamualaikum,

How are you today? May Allah bless us with rahmah, mawaddah and sakeenah everyday..Ameen Ya Rabbal 'Alameen.

So on this post, I would like to share some tips how Muslim Astronomer calculate and determine direction of qiblah.

Firstly, do you know we must finding direction of qiblah according to Allah SWT said in al-Qur'an:

al-Baqarah verse 149:

"So from wherever you go out [for prayer, O Muhammad] turn your face toward al- Masjid al-Haram, and indeed, it is the truth from your Lord. And Allah is not unaware of what you do."

There are some classical or traditional tips for finding qiblah to us:

1- Using the Polaris Star to determine North

Polaris Star : is show True North from any places on the earth. It is located at  the constellation Ursa Minor and this constellation is at midnight sky Malaysia in July and December each year. Its positions can be identified based on the form of star constellations like this figure

Source : Google

Qiblah direction can be determined based on the difference in angle of 68 degree (for Malaysia) to the left of the position of the Polaris stars as shown in figure below:

Source : Google

Qiblah measurement using  Polaris Stars

Next step: Use the angle indicator with your finger to determine the aperture angle. See figure below:

Source : Google

Angle measurement using a finger

2- Using the Crux or Southern Cross Constellation to determine South

Source : Google

The Crux or Southern Cross : is the smallest constellation in the 88 constellations that can can be seen on earth. It is used to indicate the direction of the south. Its Acrux star always pointed south towards the earth

Qiblah direction can be determined based on the difference in angle of 68 degree (for Malaysia) to the left of the position of the Acrux star.

3- Using the stars on Orion Constellation (Mintaka,al-Nilam,al,Nitak)

In this constellation there is a row of three stars Mintaka, Al-Nilam and An-Nitak. Qiblah

direction can be found by projecting the three stars in a row is to the west. Orion constellation will be in Malaysia when the dawn sky in July and then will appear in December. In March constellation Orion are in the middle of the sky at sunset.

Guide for this form constellations shown in figure belows:

Source : Google

4- Using Position of Sunset

In general, if we refer to the sunset position for the purpose of determining the qiblah is not accurate. This is because the sunset in Malaysia will vary from 235 to 295 azimuth. However, as one of the measures  the sunset can be used where it is known the difference angle between the direction of the sun with the qiblah. Estimate the angle difference between the direction of the qiblah with sunset in Malaysia on average use in tables and figures as follows:

Month	Estimate the angle for direction of qiblah with sunset in Malaysia
January	to the right 45 degree
February	to the right 40 degree
March	to the right 25 degree
April	to the right 15 degree
May	to the right 5 degree
June	to the left 1 degree
July	to the right 1 degree
August	to the right 5 degree
September	to the right 15 degree
October	to the right 30 degree
November	to the right 40 degree
December	to the right 45 degree

Lets  try to determine direction of qiblah with your own based on using my tips..

Next i will share how we determine direction of qiblah using modern approach...

From : http://islamic-astronomy.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-determine-direction-of-qiblah.html