Qiblah Angle and Direction of Some Mosques in Zuru Metropolis

Abstract

A total of 50 mosques (masjids) were randomly sampled in Zuru metropolis, the headquarters of Zuru local government area in Kebbi state, Nigeria, and their qiblah angles taken with modern (scientific) tools notably 3 Islamic apps and one compass, to ascertain the precision of their focus towards makkah. The 3-way analysis revealed the best case scenario of 36%, 6% and 0% of the mosques focused on makkah. It also invariably means 64%, 94% and 100% of the mosques tested were not in the direction towards makkah, by the different approaches used. These results confirm the earlier belief that most of the mosques were not properly focused on the qiblah angle of makkah from Zuru, established at 68.5° in the east-northeast direction from the north. A ‘safe’ range of 67.5 - 79° from north was however found with the tools used. This justifies the use of modern scientific equipments to verify and guide the angular direction of our prayer grounds, as against the hitherto arbitrary dependence of using the sunrise angle as the guide. There’s need for the appropriate authorities to rectify these anomalies, both in row angles already in place, as well as in future construction of mosques, ensuring that they are focused correctly with the prime qiblah angle established, without which prayers conducted will be put in jeopardy.