Is there a contradiction between Allah Almighty’s command to face the Sacred Mosque (Kaaba) in prayer and some people’s interpretation of the Hadith: “What is between the East and the West is a Qiblah,” which trivializes the matter of precise direction towards the Qiblah, knowing that a mosque in الطارف (El-Tarf), Algeria, deviates 40 degrees towards Ankara from the Qiblah, and the possibility of precisely determining the Qiblah is available today thanks to advancements in astronomy and geography?

Scholars have differed on determining the Qibla for those far from the Kaaba. The Shafi'is hold that it is obligatory to face the Kaaba's exact location, while the majority of scholars believe it suffices to face its general direction. The more preponderant view is that facing the general direction is sufficient for those far away, based on the hadith: "What is between the East and the West is a Qibla," and because requiring to face the exact location involves hardship and difficulty. Also, the intent of the verse: "So turn your face toward Al-Masjid Al-Haram" is towards the direction of Al-Masjid Al-Haram. The Qibla narrows for the people of Al-Masjid Al-Haram and widens for others. Facing the exact location of the Kaaba is preferable if possible, to avoid divergence of opinion. However, if the deviation is slight, the prayer is valid. If it is significant, such that it cannot be said they are facing the Kaaba's direction, then the Qibla must be changed.