A slight deviation from the qibla

Question

We have a mosque nine and a half gaz (a unit of length, about a yard, ≈ 0.9 m) long and three and three-quarter gaz wide. This mosque is off the direction of the qibla by three cubits: if the northern wall is taken three cubits to the west, then its direction will be correct; and if the direction is turned further away from the qibla towards the south — what is the ruling?

Answer

The prayer is not spoiled by a slight difference. However, if instead of the west the direction becomes north or south, the prayer will not be valid.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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