23rd January 2018
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: Hope you are well and in the best of Iman. The specific question we would like an answer to as follows. Is it permissible to alter our qibla direction slightly to enable us to straighten our carpet so we are able to accommodate our congregation? As we are struggling for space and with future aspirations in mind. We await to hear from you.
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
When it comes to the direction of prayer, it is not necessary for the Muslims in England to attain precision in facing the Ka’bah. For the sake of ease, a slight deviation from its actual direction within 45 degrees from both angles is allowed.[1] Deviation beyond the 45 degrees mark invalidates the Salāh. Majority of the contemporary Hanafi scholars have adopted this opinion. What is important is to face in its direction as opposed to attempting precision. Hence in your case, as long as you remain within the 45 degrees mark on either side, there is no harm in slightly diverging from the original direction in order to accommodate the congregation.
[Allãh Knows Best]
Written by (Mufti) Abdul Waheed
Answer Attested by Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] Ahsanul Fatawa, Book of Salāh, Ch. Facing the Qiblah, p. 313 vol 2 (Urdu)