Fatwa: # 16131
Category: Character, Morals (Akhlaaq)
Country: United Kingdom
Date: 31st January 2008

Title

Is it allowed if a persons feet point towards the Kabba when they sleep? I know that you are not allowed to face towards Makkah when you go to the toilet, i have recently been told...

Question

Is it allowed if a persons feet point towards the Kabba when they sleep? I know that you are not allowed to face towards Makkah when you go to the toilet, i have recently been told that i cant sleep with my feet pointing towards the way we pray. Please could you base your answer on hadiths on this matter. Jazakallah

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran:

من يعظم شعائر الله فإنها من تقوى القلوب

"If one observes the sanctity of the symbols of Allah, then such things emanate from the piety of the hearts."(22:32)

The Qibla (direction of the Ka'bah) is considered to be one of the Sha'air (symbols) of Allah Ta'ala. Therefore, the Qibla should be respected. Stretching one's legs and spreading one's feet before others is considered a sign of disrespect. The Qibla is the direction facing towards the Ka'bah, which is the most sacred site for Muslims. Praying towards the Qibla is one of the distinct signs of a Muslim with which Allah Ta'ala blessed and bestowed on this Ummah.

 

It is Makruh (disliked) to point the feet towards Qibla while sleeping.    

 

يكره مد الرجلين إلى القبلة في النوم وغيره عمدا

(Raddul Muhtar, Vol. 1, P. 341, H.M. Saeed Company)

(Fatawa Mahmudiyya, Vol. 18, P. 629, Darul Iftaa Jamia Faruqiyya)

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Ml. Asif Umar,
Student Darul Iftaa

Checked and Approved by:

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Darul Iftaa

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