ONE MOSQUE, TWO QIBLAHS: Understanding the Difference in Qiblah Direction of the Nagari Suayan Mosque in West Sumatera, Indonesia

Abstract

The difference in qiblah direction found among the congregation of the Nagari Suayan Mosque in Lima Puluh Kota Regency of West Sumatera began as there was an initiative to remeasure the qiblah direction by a caretaker and imam of the mosque. The difference had turned into a conflict between the Straight Qiblah congregation and the Skewed Qiblah congregation due to the lack of communication and dissemination regarding the change in qiblah direction. While in fact, facing the direction of qiblah during salat is a belief that both groups distinctly hold. This article explains the various contexts that underlie the difference and the idea of intragroup tolerance, which is the most significant finding in this study. Intragroup tolerance in practicing religion refers to the ability or willingness to tolerate differences in the rituals/practices found among varying congregations of the same religion. The research indicates that tolerating differences is part of a journey toward peace between two differing parties, and it may have implication on developing the definition of tolerance.

Qibla Accurary of the Mahligai and Papan Tinggi Tomb Complexes at Central Tapanuli

“…Therefore, linguistically, it is defined as direction or facing a point. 28 Sameon and Salleh stated that qibla direction is measured based on spherical trigonometry and true north sensor.…”

“…Qibla or Ka'bah 1 is a place and direction used by Muslims for various religious contexts such as Hajj, Mosque Direction, 2 particularly incorrect. According to Arwin 3 and Firdaus, 4 all Muslims must face the qibla for the validity and quality of salah and other Islamic activities, such as praying, ablution, slaughtering livestock, reading the Qur'an, and the position of the body when buried, and strengthen by Indonesian Council of Religious Scholars (MUI) guidance Which has made 137 guidance, one of them is about Qibla direction. 5 Many Islamic scholars, such as al-Biruni, Abu al-Wafa al-Buzjani, ibn al-Haytham, 6 and have studied qibla direction.…”