History and Astronomical Wisdom of the Change of Qiblat Direction For Muslims

Abstract

: The Kaaba, which is located in the city of Mecca, is not the first Qibla for Muslims. The first Qibla for Muslims is Baitul Maqdis or Masjid Al Aqsa. But the Kaaba is the first place of worship built on Earth. An interesting thing from the history of the change in the Qibla direction of Muslims is what exactly is the astronomical wisdom behind our changing the Qibla direction? Furthermore, this research is included in the category of library research with a qualitative descriptive method. The research results state that history states that the order to change the Qibla from Baitul Maqdis to Baitullah occurred in the second year after the Prophet migrated to Medina. This shift towards the Qibla direction astronomically has its own wisdom with the method of determining the Qibla rashdul, which we can easily do at any time with the help of a simple sunshade. This is because the latitude of the Kaaba in the city of Makkah does not exceed the highest declination value of the Sun. Both the north equinox and the south equinox. In contrast to Baitul Maqdis, which is located in the city of Jerusalem, where the latitude value exceeds the highest declination of the Sun. So that the city or region will astronomically never encounter the phenomenon of a day without a shadow because the sun will never culminate right in that area. Both the north equinox and the south equinox. In contrast to Baitul Maqdis, which is located in the city of Jerusalem, where the latitude value exceeds the highest declination of the Sun. So that the city or region will astronomically never encounter the phenomenon of a day without a shadow because the sun will never culminate right in that area. Both the north equinox and the south equinox. In contrast to Baitul Maqdis, which is located in the city of Jerusalem, where the latitude value exceeds the highest declination of the Sun. So that the city or region will astronomically never encounter the phenomenon of a day without a shadow because the sun will never culminate right in that area.