Is It Permissible To Stretch One’s Legs Out Towards The Qibla?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Is it sinful to stretch one’s legs out towards the qibla? Many cultures say it is.

Answer

I pray you are well.

Yes, it is sinful to stretch one’s legs out towards the Kaba – when you can see it – and the Qibla, in general. This is due to the disrespect that this entails. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]

Most people from most cultures would be offended if you sat in front of them with your feet pointed at them. Even if this isn’t the case in a specific culture, it is something that is treated as improper according to the general manners of Islam.

Given this, those things that are ascribed to Allah, such as the House of Allah and the Book of Allah, deserve the best treatment. It is a reflection of one’s veneration of Allah and His religion. “Whoever venerates the symbols of Allah – it is because of the Godfearingness in their hearts.“ [Quran, 22:32]

May Allah fill our hearts with this reverential awe. Amin.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.