It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that we were with the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) on a journey or a military expedition (sariyyah). The sky became overcast, and despite our effort and deliberation we differed about the qiblah. Each one of us prayed separately (in his own direction) and drew a line in front of himself so that we would know our directions. Then, when morning came, we saw that we had prayed facing other than the qiblah. We mentioned this to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Your prayer is valid."
Only Muhammad bin Salim and Muhammad bin Ubaydullah al-Arzami narrated it from Ata', and both of them are da'if (weak).
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 2235
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) that: Do not follow people in your religion without evidence; and if you refuse (to give this up), then follow the dead, not the living.
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصلاة / 2236
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:صحيح
Hadith Takhrij«صحيح۔ اخرجه اللالكائي في شرح الاعتقاد 1/93»