A Mosque Should Not Be Built on an Earlier Incorrect Foundation

Question

(1) In connection with the new construction of an old mosque, when it is checked with a compass, a difference of eight feet in the qibla appears. In such a case, should the new construction be done on the previous foundation, or is it necessary to correct the qibla by the compass? (2) With a difference of how many feet will it be considered a deviation (inhiraf), such that the prayer will not be valid? Please specify the number of feet. (3)

Answer

(1) Construction must by no means be carried out with a knowing and deliberate deviation. It may be that at the outset, when the earlier mosque was built, full regard for the qibla could not be maintained, and there was no means of correct knowledge.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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