Sun directly over Kaaba today Qibla direction can be verified

Today, a rare and spiritually significant astronomical phenomenon will occur in the holy city of Makkah

Today, a rare and spiritually significant astronomical phenomenon will occur in the holy city of Makkah. According to the Jeddah Astronomical Society, the sun will align directly above the Holy Kaaba at precisely 12:27 PM local time. This is the second such occurrence in the year 2025.

Why This Event Happens

Majid Abu Zahra, the head of the Jeddah Astronomical Society, explained that this event takes place when the sun moves from the equator towards the southern hemisphere. At this time, the sun reaches a zenith angle of nearly 89.5 degrees above Makkah, placing it directly overhead the Kaaba.

No Shadow Will Be Cast

Due to the sun’s position being exactly overhead, the Kaaba and other vertical structures in its vicinity will cast no shadow. This brief moment, often lasting just a couple of minutes, occurs twice a year and is known as the “zero shadow” phenomenon. It provides a visually stunning scene and holds both scientific and religious significance.

A Precise Method to Determine Qibla Direction

Astronomers emphasize that this alignment offers a unique opportunity for Muslims around the world to accurately determine the Qibla direction (the direction Muslims face during prayer). At 12:27 PM Makkah time, people in different parts of the world can simply observe the direction of the sun from their location, and that direction will point precisely toward the Kaaba in Makkah.

This method is especially useful for areas where compass-based Qibla direction is difficult to determine or may be inaccurate due to magnetic interference or geographic factors.

Recent Spiritual Ceremony: Washing of the Kaaba

In a separate but related event, Saudi Arabia recently hosted the spiritually uplifting ceremony of washing the Holy Kaaba, which took place last week. As per annual tradition, the interior of the Kaaba was cleansed on the 15th of Muharram, a sacred date on the Islamic calendar.

The ceremonial washing involved cleansing the inner walls, floor, and door of the Kaaba with Zamzam water, as well as fragrant rosewater, oud (agarwood), and high-quality perfumes. Senior officials, religious leaders, and custodians of the Holy Mosque participated in the event, which is held each year with great reverence and devotion.