If a person is unsure of the Qibla’s direction, they are required to make an effort to determine it. This can involve using a compass, asking someone knowledgeable, or using any other reliable means to find the correct direction. After making a sincere effort, they should pray according to the direction they believe is correct.
If they later realize their mistake after completing the prayer, their Salah is still considered valid, and they do not need to repeat it.
If they realize the mistake during the prayer, they should turn towards the correct direction without breaking their prayer and continue praying.
What Happens If No Effort Is Made to Determine the Qibla?
If a person prays without making any effort to find the Qibla and simply chooses a random direction, the validity of the prayer depends on whether they happen to be facing the correct direction:
If they accidentally face the Qibla, the prayer is valid.
If they do not face the Qibla, the prayer is invalid, and they must repeat it.
According to Ibn Abidin in his book Radd al-Muhtar (1/435), if someone prays in a random direction without trying to find the Qibla and discovers they were facing the wrong way, they are required to perform the prayer again.
In summary, facing the Qibla is an essential part of Salah, but Islam also provides leniency for those who make a genuine effort to determine the direction and still make a mistake. This highlights the importance of intention and effort in fulfilling religious obligations.