toward it—that is, the centre of the nose and the corresponding parts of the forehead, chin, and so forth—or whether a person is considered to face something when he turns his face toward it, even if the centre of his face is not aligned with it. This is the crux of the issue.

It is well known that people are prescribed to turn their faces toward the preacher and are forbidden to face the qiblah when defecating or urinating. In these and similar cases, facing something does not require alignment with the centre of the face and body. Rather, a slight deviation does not mean that one is no longer facing it. If a term has a defined meaning in the Sharia, that meaning is authoritative; otherwise, its meaning in language and customary usage is authoritative. Here, what constitutes facing something is established by the Sharia, language, and customary usage.

As for the Lawgiver, he said:

“Whatever lies between east and west is qiblah.”

It is well known that someone in Medina, Syria, or similar regions who places east to his left and west to his right is facing the Ka'bah with his body, such that a straight line could extend from his face to the Ka'bah, and likewise from his chest and abdomen. That line, however, may not extend from the centre of his face and chest. Thus, facing something with one’s face is broader than facing it with the centre of the face alone. And Allah knows best.