Rearranging Bedroom If Feet Point Towards the Qibla

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: In my bed room the bed it fixed and can’t be moved. We sleep with out feet pointing towards the Qibla, is the permissible or do we change the bed room setting?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states.

Generally speaking, Hanafi jurists mention it is disliked to intentionally outstretch one’s feet towards the qibla, whether when going to sleep or otherwise. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Muhit Burhani]

Yet this is understood as an issue of propriety (adab) and is not sinful as such. The basis of this ruling is Allah’s statement, “Whoever venerates the sacred symbols of Allah, that is certainly from the piety of hearts” (Q. 22:32). The Qibla is deemed a sacred symbol of Allah and hence should be venerated and honored.

Having said that, if your bed is fixed then it is not really in your hands. You do not have to change the bedroom setting, as that could entail undue hardship. If it’s not difficult though, you may want to consider facing the opposite direction when you sleep. It would be a reflection of your veneration and piety, which together open doors of unimaginable blessing, in both this life and the next.

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani