[Q 252] Facing feet towards qiblah

Question

why is facing feet towards qiblah while sitting not allowed?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب بعون الملك الوهاب اللهم هداية الحق والصواب

Answer

The Kaaba holds great respect in Islam. It is stated in a Hadith that whoever honors it, Allah عزوجل will honor him. Additionally, the Kaaba is among the شعائر اللہ and therefore, it should be respected. Part of showing respect is not to point one’s feet towards it intentionally and without any valid reason, whether while lying down or sitting; doing so is indeed prohibited, disliked, and disrespectful. May Allah grant us the ability to respect and honor this symbol.

In “Kanz al-Ummal,” it is mentioned,

“من أكرم القبلة أكرمه الله تعالى”

translation: The Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم stated that whoever honors the Qibla (Kaaba), Allah عزوجل will honor him.

In “Faiz al-Qadeer,”

 من ‌أكرم ‌القبلة) فلم يستقبلها ولم يستدبرها ببول ولا غائط احتراما لكونها جهة معظمة (أكرمه الله تعالى) أي في الدنيا أو في الآخرة أو فيهما جزاءا وفاقا

 the explanation of this Hadith states,

translation: Whoever respects the Qibla, by not facing it or turning their back to it while urinating or defecating out of respect for its honor, Allah will honor him in this world, the hereafter, or in both as a fitting reward.

(Faiz-ul-Qadeer, Haraf Meem, Volume 6, Page 83)

“Bahar-e-Shariat” and “Fatawa Razawiya” mention,

واللفظ للثانی : کعبہ معظمہ کی طرف پاؤں کرکے سونا بلکہ اس طرف پاؤں پھیلانا ،سونے میں ہو خواہ جاگنے میں ، لیٹے میں ہو خواہ بیٹھے ،ہر طرح ممنوع و بے ادبی ہے ۔

which states it is strictly prohibited and disrespectful to stretch one’s feet towards the Kaaba, whether sleeping, awake, lying down, or sitting.

(Fatawa Rizwiyah, Volume 23, Page 385, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Answered by : Hasan Raza (Askmufti Scholar)

Verified by : Mufti Sajid Attari