Prayer direction guide
Find the Qibla with confidence
Understand how a Qibla compass works, what can disturb a phone compass, and how to verify the prayer direction when you are somewhere new.
What the Qibla direction means
The Qibla is the direction Muslims face in prayer toward the Kaaba in Makkah. The bearing is different in every location: a direction that is correct in Sydney will not be correct in London, Lagos, Kuala Lumpur, or New York.
A Qibla tool combines your location with a bearing toward the Kaaba. On a phone, the visible compass also depends on the device’s magnetic sensors and orientation.
How to improve compass accuracy
- Allow location access so the bearing can be calculated for where you are.
- Move away from cars, lifts, speakers, laptops, steel furniture, and large electrical equipment.
- Remove magnetic cases or accessories if the reading jumps.
- Hold the phone flat and follow the device’s calibration prompt when shown.
- Compare with a mosque mihrab, a trusted map, or a second method when accuracy matters.
Qibla direction while travelling
There is no single “east” or “west” answer that works worldwide. The shortest great-circle bearing can feel unintuitive on a flat map, especially in North America and at high latitudes. Use a location-specific bearing rather than copying the direction from your home city.
Follow the established prayer rows and mihrab unless a responsible local authority advises otherwise.
Qibla in the Falah app
Falah keeps Qibla direction beside prayer times, Quran, duas, adhkar, and learning. That makes it useful when moving between home, work, university, airports, hotels, and unfamiliar prayer spaces.
Common questions
Why does my Qibla compass move around?
Nearby metal, magnets, electronics, and an uncalibrated device compass can disturb the reading. Move to an open area, remove magnetic accessories, and recalibrate.
Can I use the same Qibla direction in every country?
No. The bearing toward the Kaaba changes with your location, so calculate it again whenever you travel.
What if I cannot determine the exact direction?
Use the best reliable information available and seek guidance from a trusted local scholar or mosque for religious questions.