Is It Prohibited to Stretch Feet Toward the North in Islam?

The Sharʿī Ruling on Stretching One’s Feet Toward the North
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 142
Question by: Your brother, Ismāʿīl

❖ Question:​

Is it impermissible to stretch one’s feet toward the north?
Is there any Islamic ruling prohibiting this?

❖ Answer:​

Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd...


No, this belief is incorrect and completely baseless. In fact, such a claim is a clear falsehood with no foundation in the Qur’an or Sunnah.

❖ 1. Islamic Rulings Are Based on Evidence​

In Islam, the lawfulness or unlawfulness of any act is determined through authentic evidence from Qur'an, Ḥadīth, or consensus of scholars.


General Principle in Sharīʿah:
“Everything is permissible unless proven otherwise.”


◈ In the case of stretching one's feet toward the north, no valid Sharʿī evidence exists to prohibit it.

❖ 2. The North Has No Sacred Status in Islam​

◈ The north is not sacred, nor does it possess any Islamic significance or sanctity.
◈ This belief is nothing more than a myth or baseless superstition, possibly a satanic whisper (waswasah) to corrupt the purity of Islamic beliefs.
◈ It resembles the practices of idolaters, who revere graves and directions without any divine guidance.

❖ 3. Is It Prohibited to Stretch Feet Toward the Kaʿbah?​

Some people also believe that stretching one’s feet toward the Kaʿbah is forbidden.


✔ While some jurists disliked it out of respect, there is no explicit or authentic ḥadīth forbidding it.
✔ Likewise, the claim that stretching feet toward any specific direction such as the north is ḥarām is unsupported by Islamic sources.


◈ Whoever claims it is impermissible must present clear evidence. Otherwise, remaining silent and cautious is better than spreading unfounded beliefs.

❖ Conclusion​

✔ Stretching one’s feet toward the north is Sharʿī-wise permissible.
✔ There is no valid prohibition in Islam on this practice.
✔ This idea is not part of Islamic teachings, and should be abandoned as an unfounded notion.
✔ Anyone claiming otherwise must bring forth evidence, or refrain from making such claims.


وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب