Comments on: Solving the Compass Problem for Muslims http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/ Discourses in the Intellectual Traditions, Political Situation, and Social Ethics of Muslim Life Thu, 09 Feb 2012 12:54:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: tabman http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-86942 tabman Fri, 31 Dec 2010 20:21:33 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-86942 For android I tested out this one: http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-mustafaferhanakman-sensor-nmEC.aspx It is pretty good. For android I tested out this one:
http://www.androlib.com/android.application.com-mustafaferhanakman-sensor-nmEC.aspx

It is pretty good.

]]> By: ihafidh http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-46654 ihafidh Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:17:11 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-46654 Does your Casio protrek watch determine the direction correctly indoors or does it have the same problem like the regular compasses do with magnetic interference? Does your Casio protrek watch determine the direction correctly indoors or does it have the same problem like the regular compasses do with magnetic interference?

]]> By: Muadh Khan http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-46644 Muadh Khan Wed, 15 Jul 2009 10:40:03 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-46644 Asslamo Allaikum, Today is 15th of July and at 10:27 (in UK) I looked at the sun and confirmed that our Qibla direction is accurate. During my travels I wear my Casio Protrek watch and it is great for determining North and from then on its easy to figure out the Qiblah. http://www.amazon.com/Casio-Pro-Trek-Triple-Titanium-PRG110T-7VDR/dp/B000RAFUBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=watches&qid=1247653473&sr=8-1 Suunto is slightly more precise and user friendly but much more expensive. I bought my watch for backpacking but it comes in handy for Qibla too… Half the problem is not in the compass but “the way it’s used” e.g. I have seen many Muslims try to use a compass indoors and due to magnetic interference it’s likely that they will get it North. The second issue is off course buying substandard equipment particularly those sold with prayer mats (in Saudia) with a book of degrees. These compasses are often faulty and the degrees shown are decades old when the ground reality is that Magnetic declination changes over the years. The best way is to use the Sun and the stars, most apps on your Iphone, Cellphone and laptops use the Sun method as well. I was going to publish a detailed technical article on our site with pictures/videos but then thought that this isn’t really a big deal, you just figure out North and from then on pray North-East (US) and do I really want to bore people with technical details? when the Shariah hasn’t really made a big deal out of this…I mean you just face the direction of Qibla (best endeavours) and even if you are wrong, your Salah will still be valid. Hmm… Great article Masha’Allah but the best cheap compass in my humble view is the Lensatic which is recommended by someone in the comments… http://www.stanleylondon.com/engrlensatic2.jpg Asslamo Allaikum,

Today is 15th of July and at 10:27 (in UK) I looked at the sun and confirmed that our Qibla direction is accurate.

During my travels I wear my Casio Protrek watch and it is great for determining North and from then on its easy to figure out the Qiblah.

http://www.amazon.com/Casio-Pro-Trek-Triple-Titanium-PRG110T-7VDR/dp/B000RAFUBC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=watches&qid=1247653473&sr=8-1

Suunto is slightly more precise and user friendly but much more expensive.

I bought my watch for backpacking but it comes in handy for Qibla too…

Half the problem is not in the compass but “the way it’s used” e.g. I have seen many Muslims try to use a compass indoors and due to magnetic interference it’s likely that they will get it North.

The second issue is off course buying substandard equipment particularly those sold with prayer mats (in Saudia) with a book of degrees. These compasses are often faulty and the degrees shown are decades old when the ground reality is that Magnetic declination changes over the years.
The best way is to use the Sun and the stars, most apps on your Iphone, Cellphone and laptops use the Sun method as well.

I was going to publish a detailed technical article on our site with pictures/videos but then thought that this isn’t really a big deal, you just figure out North and from then on pray North-East (US) and do I really want to bore people with technical details? when the Shariah hasn’t really made a big deal out of this…I mean you just face the direction of Qibla (best endeavours) and even if you are wrong, your Salah will still be valid.

Hmm…

Great article Masha’Allah but the best cheap compass in my humble view is the Lensatic which is recommended by someone in the comments…

http://www.stanleylondon.com/engrlensatic2.jpg

]]> By: Kashif http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-46492 Kashif Sun, 12 Jul 2009 11:31:13 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-46492 As ny said above, one of the easiest methods is to find a SKY satellite dish. They point quite accurately to Makkah, and I've heard reports that this is valid from London in the south east to Birmingham in the midlands. As ny said above, one of the easiest methods is to find a SKY satellite dish. They point quite accurately to Makkah, and I’ve heard reports that this is valid from London in the south east to Birmingham in the midlands.

]]> By: Solving the Compass Problem for Muslims « The Muslim Voice http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-46366 Solving the Compass Problem for Muslims « The Muslim Voice Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:11:27 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-46366 [...] Source Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)THE BROKEN COMPASSSwing True, Sweet CompassHow to Find True North Without a Compass [...] [...] Source Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)THE BROKEN COMPASSSwing True, Sweet CompassHow to Find True North Without a Compass [...]

]]> By: Stranger http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-46119 Stranger Fri, 03 Jul 2009 04:30:14 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-46119 I have had this problem for a long time. It's frustrating not knowing which way to pray exactly. I'd rather know for sure than be worrying in my salah of whether my qiblah is right or not. These are good viable options, jazakallah khayr. I have to say though, the compass feature on the iphone 3GS has made me want an iphone even more now. I have had this problem for a long time. It’s frustrating not knowing which way to pray exactly. I’d rather know for sure than be worrying in my salah of whether my qiblah is right or not. These are good viable options, jazakallah khayr. I have to say though, the compass feature on the iphone 3GS has made me want an iphone even more now.

]]> By: Hannah http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-45990 Hannah Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:11:46 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-45990 great article! good thinkin! many of us do forget to have a trusty compass. REI has a nice , miniature,strudy key chain compass for about 3 bucks. great article! good thinkin! many of us do forget to have a trusty compass. REI has a nice , miniature,strudy key chain compass for about 3 bucks.

]]> By: ihafidh http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-45936 ihafidh Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:03:40 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-45936 Abu Suhaylah, Nice to see you here. This is Ibrahim. Muslimatters, sorry to have an unrelated comment in your comments :) Abu Suhaylah,
Nice to see you here. This is Ibrahim.
Muslimatters, sorry to have an unrelated comment in your comments :)

]]> By: Aboo Suhaylah Sa'eed al-Amreekee http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-45934 Aboo Suhaylah Sa'eed al-Amreekee Wed, 01 Jul 2009 15:58:53 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-45934 Salaamun 'Alaykum, My biggest gripe with ALL compasses is that they are easily taken off mark by any large metal objects or magnetic fields in the immediate vacinity. Anyone have any solutions for that??? Salaamun ‘Alaykum,

My biggest gripe with ALL compasses is that they are easily taken off mark by any large metal objects or magnetic fields in the immediate vacinity. Anyone have any solutions for that???

]]> By: MW_M http://muslimmatters.org/2009/06/29/solving-the-compass-problem-for-muslims/#comment-45858 MW_M Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:48:27 +0000 http://muslimmatters.org/?p=6333#comment-45858 I think he's joking.... I think he’s joking….

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