Tafsir al-Baqarah Verse 115 - Sharia Online DepokSyariah Online Depok

QUESTION:

Assalamu’alaikum ustadz, permission to ask about the interpretation of Surah Albaqarah verse 115.. (Ardiansyah)

ANSWER

Wa’alaikumussalam wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh

The lyrics read:

And to Allah belongs the East and the West. So wherever you turn, there is the face of Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-sufficient, All-Knowing.

“And to Allah belongs the east and the west, so wherever you face, there is the face of Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Encompassing (His mercy) and All-Knowing.” (QS. Al Baqarah: 115)

This verse shows that all directions, both East and West, belong to Allah Ta’ala, Allah Ta’ala is the ruler and owner.

So wherever you face when praying, especially when you have difficulty knowing the direction of the Qibla or have difficulty facing the Qibla due to certain age, then any direction is the same.

Al Baghawi said this is proof that it is permissible to pray without facing the Qibla if it is difficult to face the Qibla. Like when in a vehicle.

Al Qurthubi said that it is the opinion of the majority of ulama that if you are traveling at night and it is difficult to determine the direction of prayer, then facing anywhere is valid if you really don’t know the direction of the Qibla.

Wallahu A’lam