Towards A Contemporary Fatwa Framework For Mosque Qibla Orientation: A Critical Study Of Egypt And Malaysia’s Divergent Approaches

Abstract

This study discusses the differing fatwa approaches in determining the permissible limit of qibla deviation between two major Muslim countries—Malaysia and Egypt—which each possess distinct jurisprudential traditions, technological capabilities, and socio-cultural contexts. The primary issue raised in this study is the absence of a standardized international guideline that can serve as a reference for formulating fatwas concerning qibla precision, despite the fact that this issue directly affects the validity of Muslim prayers. Accordingly, the objective of this study is to develop a principled yet flexible fatwa formulation guideline that is contextualized to local realities and aligned with the objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah). Two main case studies are utilized. The first is the fatwa issued by the National Fatwa Committee for Islamic Religious Affairs Malaysia (coordinated by JAKIM), which limits qibla deviation to a maximum of 3°, based on a precision-based approach that relies on modern technology and is influenced by the Shāfiʿī school of thought. The second is the fatwa by Dar al-Iftaʾ al-Misriyyah in Egypt, which permits a deviation of up to ±45°, based on a convenience-based approach that takes into account historical factors, public interest (maslahah), and the traditional jurisprudence of the Ḥanafī school. The study proposes a fatwa guideline framework based on four key parameters: level of technological readiness, madhhab orientation, social and historical context of the community, and the need to uphold the objectives of Islamic law (maqāṣid al-sharīʿah). The study recommends that the formulation of qibla-related fatwas be contextual, integrated, and systematic, and serve as a reference for other Muslim countries seeking to develop more sustainable and contemporary qibla determination systems.