Indonesian Muslims In Dilemma
Indonesian Muslims now have an unique problem. They have been faithfully praying in the wrong direction. Instead of facing Mecca, they are facing somewhere else. What happens now? Were their prayers heard by Allah? Do they need to knock down their mosques to build new ones with the correct alignment to Mecca?
MUI’s Mistake
Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) had issued a fatwa in March stating that the correct direction to face Mecca is westward. So Indonesian Muslims have been faithfully facing west when they prayed. Afterall, if anyone knows how to determine the direction of Mecca, it must be the MUI, which is Indonesia’s highest Islamic authority.
But now, MUI decided that it had made a mistake. Cholil Ridwan, the head of MUI said: “But it has been decided that actually the mosques are facing Somalia or Kenya” Oops! So Indonesian Muslims have been praying towards Africa instead of Saudi Arabia all this time!
What To Do Next?
Cholil Ridwan said: “So we are now suggesting people shift the direction slightly to the north-west.” No new fatwa? Just a suggestion?
What about the mosques? Cholil Ridwan said: “There’s no need to knock down mosques, just shift your direction slightly during prayer.”
Did Allah Hear The Prayers?
So now comes the most important question – did Allah hear the prayers of Indonesian Muslims when they prayed not facing Mecca?
Cholil Ridwan had this terse answer: “Their prayers will still be heard by Allah.”
Reaction
One immediate reaction came from Nahdlatul Ulama, Indonesian’s largest Muslim organization. Agil Siradj, head of Nahdlatul Ulama said that this error was caused by MUI being too quick to issue fatwas. He said that it should be a lesson for MUI to learn.
Think About It
Are Muslims required to face Mecca when praying? If yes, then what will happen to Indonesian Muslims who did not do so, due to MUI’s mistake? If as Cholil Ridwan asserted that the prayers of Indonesian Muslims were heard by Allah despite facing the wrong direction, away from Mecca, then it begs this question – Does it matter which direction Muslims face when praying if indeed their prayers are still heard by Allah?
Oh la la. The islam sheeple have to adjust their body position by some degrees, collectively, on command. What a nice rite: like they adjust their thinking, collectively, on command.
Well the peoples prayers must indeed have been heard and they are not at fault, the man who gave the Fatwa is to be questioned on each persons prayer he ‘messed up’