THE APPLICATION OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES IN THE INTERPRETATION OF HADITH ON QIBLAH: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

The interpretation of Hadith concerning Qiblah has historically occupied a significant place in Islamic scholarship, particularly in relation to ritual worship, mosque orientation, navigation, and the determination of the direction of prayer. Classical scholars relied on textual analysis, jurisprudential reasoning, astronomical observation, and geographical estimation to understand and apply Prophetic traditions related to Qiblah. In the contemporary era, rapid advancements in digital technologies have introduced new possibilities for enhancing the interpretation and practical implementation of these Hadith. This article examines the application of digital technologies in the interpretation of Hadith on Qiblah by analysing both the opportunities and challenges associated with this transformation. Using a qualitative library-based research approach, the study reviews classical Islamic sources alongside recent literature on digital humanities, Islamic studies, geospatial systems, and artificial intelligence. The findings indicate that technologies such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), satellite imagery, mobile prayer applications, digital Hadith databases, machine learning, and augmented reality have significantly improved the accessibility, precision, and contextual understanding of Qiblah-related traditions. These tools enable accurate directional calculations, multilingual dissemination of Hadith sources, comparative jurisprudential analysis, and user-friendly guidance for Muslims worldwide. However, several challenges remain, including methodological overreliance on automation, inaccuracies in poorly designed applications, differences among juristic schools, data reliability concerns, limited scholarly supervision, and ethical issues related to algorithmic bias and religious authority. The study argues that digital technologies should complement rather than replace traditional scholarly methodologies grounded in the Qur’an, Sunnah, and established fiqh principles. A balanced integration between revealed knowledge (naqli) and rational-technological tools (‘aqli) is therefore essential. The article concludes that when responsibly developed and guided by qualified scholars, digital technologies can strengthen contemporary understanding of Hadith on Qiblah while preserving the authenticity and integrity of Islamic knowledge traditions.