In the Bahá'í Faith Bahá'u'lláh, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, prescribes the obligatory prayers; designates the time and period of fasting; prohibits congregational prayer except for the dead; and fixes the Qiblih as his tomb, Bahjí , in Akká.

The concept has existed in other religions. Jews face Jerusalem, more specifically the site of the former Temple of Jerusalem. Muslims used to face Jerusalem, but the Prophet Muhammad then changed the direction towards the Kaaba, in Mecca. The word Qiblih itself comes from Arabic Qibla, which has the same meaning, but a different direction as explained earlier.

When praying obligatory prayers the members of the Bahá'í Faith should face in the direction of the Qiblih. It is a fixed requirement for the recitation of obligatory prayer, but for other prayers and devotions one may follow what the merciful Lord hath revealed in the Qur'án: "Whichever way ye turn, there is the face of God."

Face of the dead should be turned towards the Qiblih

"The dead should be buried with their face turned towards the Qiblih. This also is in accordance with what is practiced in Islam. There is also a congregational prayer to be recited. Besides this there is no other ceremony to be performed" (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, July 6, 1935).

Bahá'u'lláh ordains His resting-place as the Qiblih after His passing. The Most Holy Tomb is at Bahjí, Akká (was in Palestine at that time; currently in Israel). `Abdu'l-Bahá describes that Spot as the "luminous Shrine", "the place around which circumambulate the Concourse on High".

External links

• To find the direction to the Qiblih, you may refer to the Direction to Bahjí website or try this special Bahá'í Compass.

• Excerpts from the Kitáb-i-Aqdas regarding the Qiblih