Question:
Assalamualaikum SS Dato’ Seri Mufti, is it true that it is sunnah to face the qibla while one is reading the Quran?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
Imam al-Nawawi in al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalatil Quran, explained the manners of reciting the Quran saying: It is encouraged for anyone who is reading the Quran outside of prayer to face the qibla. This is mentioned in several hadiths of the Prophet PBUH:
خَيْرُ الْمَجَالِسِ مَا اسْتُقْبِلَ بِهِ الْقِبْلَةَ
“The best of events is the one facing the qibla.”
Al-Tabari narrated it in Tahzib al-Athar (1/235)
Someone should sit calmly with khusyuk and lowering his head and be mindful of his manners as if he is in front of a teacher, this is the best way.
It is permissible to recite the Quran when one is standing, laying down on his bed or in other positions and he will be rewarded, however, the rewards is less than the first position. (See: al-Tibyan fi Adab Hamalatil Quran, pg. 60)
In another hadith, from Ibn Umar R.Anhuma, the Prophet PBUH said:
أَكْرَمُ الْمَجَالِسِ مَا اسْتُقْبِلَ بِهِ الْقِبْلَةُ
“The most honoured of events are the one that is facing the qibla.”
Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Mu’jam al-Ausat (8361). It is also mentioned by al-Haithami in Majma’ al-Zawa’id (17/124)
In another narration from Abu Hurairah RA:
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ سَيِّدًا، وَإِنَّ سَيِّدَ الْمَجَالِسِ قُبَالَةَ الْقِبْلَةِ
“Everything has a leader and the leader of an event is facing the qibla.”
Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Mu’jam al-Ausat (2375)
From Ibn Abbas R.Anhuma, the Prophet PBUH said:
إِنَّ لِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَرَفًا وَإِنَّ أَشْرَفَ الْمَجَالِسِ مَا اسْتُقْبِلَ بِهِ الْقِبْلَةَ
“There’s an honour in everything and the most honoured of events is the one facing the qibla.”
Al-Hakim narrated it in al-Mustadrak (7706)
Imam al-Munawi said: The hadiths state every action even when one is silent is in accordance with the will of Allah, according to his intention. Whether he is awake or asleep, standing or sitting, drinking or eating and it will be of value due to this. Hence, he would choose the qibla as the direction for his events and focused for it is encouraged to always face the qibla.
In al-Mausu’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (4/76), it is stated: Fiqh scholars state that the qibla is the most honoured direction. Hence, it is sunnah to sit facing the qibla. This is in accordance with the hadith of the Prophet PBUH:
إِنَّ سَيِّدَ الْمَجَالِسِ قُبَالَةَ الْقِبْلَةِ
“The leader of an event is facing the qibla.”
Al-Tabarani narrated it in al-Mu’jam al-Ausat (2375)
Thus, even though it is a sunnah, we should follow what the Prophet PBUH told us, which is to face the qibla, for it is the most honoured direction.
May Allah SWT give us understanding in practising His religion. Amin.