Muslims have always been associated with Astronomical discoveries. The Islamic golden age (8th century – 15th century) had a lot of astronomical inventions. The religious need to find the Qiblah direction (kaaba direction) was one of the main reasons for this. Muslims were also known for being merchants and undertaking long trade journeys, which was another reason for their eagerness to develop navigational tools (the forerunners of Google map!!).
How to find Qibla direction using google maps? Find out now!
All this meant the Muslims develop the science and the art of reading stars the, the basics of it being finding the North Star Polaris to find the North Pole. Once you know where the North Pole is in the vast desert or lost at sea, finding the directions east, south or west to face Makkah becomes easier. Finding the North Star is a mere child’s play as that’s how I learnt about the North Star in a summer camp. This skill is also useful in case you are stranded in a forest or lost at sea (just kidding).
1.To first find the northern star Polaris, you first have to find the Big Dipper. The big dipper is a group of 8 stars formed like a question mark or ladle or the plough as they call it in UK. (refer to the picture)
2.This dipper can be in any direction, upside down, tilted at various angles, to the left, to the right. It doesn’t matter. The task here is finding the Big Dipper.
3.The tip of the question mark or the pointer stars are the indicators. Imagine a line from the two pointer stars and extend those by 4 to 5 times and there you will find it. A bright star standing alone – the North Star
4.This is the true north and you can find the other directions of east, west, south etc. using this north direction. Sometimes you just have to overcome the “technology handicap” that we all now struggle to live without, and go back to the natural way and admire the bounties of nature. It is all the more fun and satisfying. And when you spot your first northern star Polaris, send us your feedbacks.
Find Qibla direction online
HalalTrip guide for travelers on how to use Qibla direction feature and prayer calculator
Qibla (Kaaba) direction locator/finder for any location using online compass and google maps
