This phenomenon known as istiwa adzam is useful as an easy Islamic astronomical method to determine the exact direction of prayers (Kiblat) where only half part of the world that receives the daylight can apply this method.

Follow these simple steps to check and correct the Kiblat from your area:

1. You must use a straight objects such as a pole or side of the house. It must be vertical which must be checked with a weight tied to a thread (plumbline).

2. The object must not be in places under shade, such as under a tree or in the house. It must be placed in areas that receive direct sunlight, for example, in a spacious yard.

3. At exactly 5:16 pm May 28 (Brunei Time), the shadow’s line produced by the sun is the Kiblat direction which is facing toward the sun.

In a year, the sun will be directly above the Kaabah twice, on every 28th May at 5:16 pm and again on July 16th at 5:28 pm Brunei time.

Bandar Seri Begawan – On May 28 every year, at 5:16 pm local Brunei time (09:16 UT), the sun will be precisely overhead (at Zenith) in Makkah and exactly above the Kaabah. At that instance, the Sun in other areas will be directly aligned to the direction of Kiblat.

This phenomenon known as “istiwa adzam” is useful as an easy Islamic astronomical method to determine the exact direction of prayers (Kiblat).  Only half part of the world that receives the daylight can apply this method.

In a year, the sun will be directly above the Kaabah twice, on every 28th May at 5:16 pm and again on July 16th at 5:28 pm Brunei time.

Follow the following ways to check the Kiblat from your area:

1. You must use a straight objects such as a pole or side of the house. It must be vertical which must be checked with a weight tied to a thread (plumbline).

2. The object must not be in places under shade, such as under a tree or in the house. It must be placed in areas that receive direct sunlight, for example, in a spacious yard.

3. Exactly at 5:16 pm May 28, the shadow’s line produced by the sun is the Kiblat direction which is facing toward the sun.

Above: Facing west of Brunei, the method of determining the Kiblat using shadow of column during the “istiwa adzam” in Makkah.

Bandar Seri Begawan – On July 16 of each year, at 5:28 pm, the sun will be at Zenith and exactly above the Kaabah, Makkah.

This phenomenon known as “istiwa adzam” can be used by Muslims from almost all over the world as an easy Islamic astronomical method to determine the exact direction of Kiblat.

In a year, the sun will be directly above the Kaabah twice, on every 28th May at 5:16 pm and again on July 16th at 5:28 pm Brunei time.

Follow the following ways to check the Qiblah from your area:

1. You must use a straight objects such as a pole or side of the house. It must be vertical by checking with weights tied to a thread (plumbline).

2. The object must not be in places under shade, for example do not put under the tree or in the house. However, it must be be placed in areas that receive direct sunlight, for example, in a spacious yard.

3. Exactly at 5:28 pm July 16, the line shadow produced by the sun is the Kiblat direction which is facing toward the sun.

Fenomena astronomi yang lebih dikenali sebagai istiwa adzam boleh dimanfaatkan oleh umat Islam hampir seluruh dunia untuk menentukan arah kiblat yang tepat ketika waktu tadi.

Lazimnya, dalam setahun matahari akan berada tepat di atas kaabah sebanyak dua kali iaitu apabila nilai sudut deklinasinya bersamaan dengan latitud Mekah (21.421 darjah Utara) pada setiap 28hb Mei pukul 5.16 petang dan sekali lagi pada 16hb Julai pukul 5.28 petang waktu Brunei

Ikuti cara-cara berikut untuk menyemak arah kiblat dari kawasan awda:

1. Awda perlu menggunakan objek-objek yang lurus seperti sebatang tiang atau sisi-sisi rumah. Ia juga mestilah tegak dengan memeriksa menggunakan pemberat yang diikat ke benang (plumbline).

2. Objek tadi mestilah berada di sebuah tempat yang tidak terlindung dari sinaran matahari misalnya jangan diletak di bawah pokok atau di dalam rumah. Akan tetapi hendaklah diletakkan di kawasan yang menerima terus cahaya matahari misalnya di halaman rumah yang lapang.

3. Tepat pada jam 5.16 petang 28 Mei, garisan bayang objek yang dihasilkan oleh matahari adalah arah kiblat iaitu menghadap ke arah matahari.

Peta Bumi ketika Matahari berada di atas Kaabah

Peta di atas menunjukkan kawasan (bercahaya) yang boleh menggunakan kaedah bayang matahari. Semua bayang objek menuju ke arah matahari adalah arah kiblat.

28 Mei, jam 5:16 ptg

16 Julai, jam 5:28 ptg

Peta Bumi ketika Matahari berada di atas Kaabah