Mizwala in the Islamic Tradition: A Historical Overview, Its Contributions, and Its Relevance in the Contemporary Era
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47766/astroislamica.v5i1.7118Keywords:
Astronomical Instruments, Islamic Astronomy, Mizwala, Qibla DeterminationAbstract
This study explores the history, contribution, and contemporary relevance of the mizwala (sundial) in the development of Islamic astronomy (‘ilm al-falak). The mizwala is a classical astronomical instrument used by Muslim scholars since the 9th century CE to determine the direction of the qibla and prayer times based on the position of the sun. The aim of this research is to retrace the scientific foundations of Islamic astronomy and to highlight the continuity between classical Islamic science and modern knowledge. The research adopts a qualitative-descriptive method with historical and analytical approaches through the examination of primary and secondary literature. The findings reveal that the mizwala functioned not only as a scientific measuring device but also as a symbol of the integration between scientific inquiry and religious devotion in Islamic tradition. In contemporary contexts, the mizwala remains relevant as a verification tool for qibla direction and as an educational medium for practical astronomy. Moreover, it represents a sustainable technology that operates solely using solar energy, independent of digital systems. Therefore, preserving and revitalizing the mizwala is crucial to maintaining the continuity of Islamic scientific heritage while fostering innovation in modern astronomical studies.
References
Akbar, Reza, Aslan Aslan, and Riza Afrian Mustaqim. “Qibla Direction Calculation Methods in Islamic Astronomy References in Indonesia.” AHKAM : Jurnal Ilmu Syariah 22, no. 2 (December 31, 2022). https://doi.org/10.15408/ajis.v22i2.20422.
Amangeldiyeva, G.S., V.B. Grigorkevich, and M.A. Zhumatayeva. “The Basics of Copywriting: The History of the Origin and Types.” Bulletin of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University. JOURNALISM Series 148, no. 3 (2024): 20–34. https://doi.org/10.32523/2616-7174-2024-148-3-20-34.
Anaam, Khairul, Isna Putri Sa’adah, Asri Arum Sari, Naurah Kamilah, Imroatul Mufidah, and Nur Lailatul Qodriyahf. “Accuracy Test of Qibla Direction of Qowiyuddin Mosque Jagir Wonokromo Surabaya.” AL - AFAQ : Jurnal Ilmu Falak Dan Astronomi 6, no. 2 (October 29, 2024): 163–82. https://doi.org/10.20414/afaq.v6i2.10912.
Budiwati, Anisah, Muhammad Wahyu Firdaus, and Galih Cipto Raharjo. “Integration Method for Measuring Qibla Direction (Comparative Analysis of Google Earth and Mizwala).” Indonesian Journal of Interdisciplinary Islamic Studies 5, no. 3 (December 30, 2022). https://doi.org/10.20885/IJIIS.VOL.5.ISS3.ART2.
Cut Nazar Mutia Hanum, and Ismail Ismail. “Pandangan Tokoh Agama Jungka Gajah Terhadap Arah Kiblat Bagi Orang Yang Jauh Dari Ka’bah.” Astroislamica: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 1, no. 2 (December 28, 2022): 169–86. https://doi.org/10.47766/ASTROISLAMICA.V1I2.934.
Dila, Safna Farah. “A Comparative Analysis of Qibla Direction Accuracy Using a Theodolite, Mizwala, and Right-Angle Triangle at As-Sakinah Mosque, Surabaya.” Astroislamica: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 4, no. 2 (December 31, 2025): 395–412. https://doi.org/10.47766/astroislamica.v4i2.4796.
Hosen, and Ghafiruddin. “Akurasi Arah Kiblat Masjid Di Wilayah Kecamatan Pademawu Kabupaten Pamekasan Dengan Metode Mizwala Qibla Finder.” Al-Ihkam: Jurnal Hukum Dan Pranata Sosial 13, no. 2 (December 21, 2018): 364–81. https://doi.org/10.19105/al-lhkam.v13i2.1837.
Ismail, Ismail. “Standar Operasional Prosedur (SOP) Kalibrasi Arah Kiblat Masjid Di Era Digital.” Al-Marshad: Jurnal Astronomi Islam Dan Ilmu-Ilmu Berkaitan 5, no. 1 (June 20, 2019): 90–110. https://doi.org/10.30596/jam.v5i1.3126.
Izzuddin, Ahmad. Ilmu Falak Praktis; Metode Hisab-Rukyat Praktis Dan Solusi Permasalahannya. Semarang: PT. Pustaka Rizki Putra, 2012.
Juli Rakhmadi Butar-Butar, Arwin. “Astronomi Islam Era Dinasti Mamalik (1250-1517).” Afkaruna 9, no. 1 (2013): 26–36. https://doi.org/10.18196/aiijis.2013.0017.26-36.
King, David A. “Astronomy in the Service of Islam.” In Handbook of Archaeoastronomy and Ethnoastronomy, 181–96. New York, NY: Springer New York, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6141-8_13.
———. Islamic Astronomy and Geography. Islamic Astronomy and Geography, 2022.
Maulidin Maulidin, and Abdullah Abdullah. “Uji Komparasi Instrumen Arah Kiblat Antara Qibla Tracker Dan Mizwala Qibla Finder.” Astroislamica: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 1, no. 1 (June 30, 2022): 73–96. https://doi.org/10.47766/ASTROISLAMICA.V1I1.899.
Musonnif, Ahmad. “Pendekatan Dalam Penelitian Ilmu Falak DI Indonesia” 24, no. 01 (2024): 151–70. https://doi.org/10.21274/dinamika.2024.24.01.35-52.
Nurul, Sharifah, and Syef Zafar. “The Evolution of Astronomical Instruments from the Classical Era to Digital” 2, no. 3 (2025): 192–203. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.33096/jah.v2i3.26679.
Qulub, Siti Tatmainul. Ilmu Falak : Dari Sejarah Ke Teori Dan Aplikasi. Depok: PT RAJAGRAFINDO PERSADA, 2017.
Rakhmadi, Arwin Juli, and Hasrian Rudi Setiawan. “Pemanfaatan Instrumen Astronomi Klasik Mizwala Dalam Pengukuran Dan Pengakurasian Arah Kiblat.” Maslahah: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat 1, no. 2 (October 7, 2020): 152–63. https://doi.org/10.56114/MASLAHAH.V1I2.69.
Royyani, Muh Arif, Maryatul Kibtyah, Adeni Adeni, Ahmad Adib Rofiuddin, Machzumy Machzumy, and Nor Kholis. “Religious Dialogue and Astronomy from the Perspective of Indonesian Muslim Scholars.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 7, no. 1 (March 31, 2023): 261–80. https://doi.org/10.22373/SJHK.V7I1.12406.
Safiai, Mohd Hafiz, Ibnor Azli Ibrahim, Ezad Azraai Jamsari, Badlihisham Mohd Nasir, and Md Yazid Ahmad. “Astrolabe as Portal to the Universe, Inventions across Civilizations.” International Journal of Civil Engineering and Technology, 2017.
Thoyfur, Muhammad. “Digitalization Of Local Rashdul Qibla By Qibla Diagram.” Al-Hilal: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 3, no. 1 (2021). https://doi.org/10.21580/al-hilal.2021.3.1.7697.
Wanandi, Zulfian, Nur Afdal Purnama Putra, Ulil Albab Al-Pateni, Yusuf Nur Qalbi, Kurniawan Kurniawan, and Haikal Rivaldi. “The Problem of Non-Muslims Witnessing the Hilal: Perspectives of Fiqh, Religious Court Judges, and Thomas Djamaluddin.” Astroislamica: Journal of Islamic Astronomy 4, no. 1 (June 30, 2025): 162–79. https://doi.org/10.47766/astroislamica.v4i1.3469.
Witkowski, Maciej G. “Vertical Sundial from the Madrasa of Al-As Hraf Inai (No. 158) on Cairo Northern Necropolis.” Etudes et Travaux 27, no. 158 (2014): 459–75.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Sukarni Sukarni, Ahmad Izzuddin, Fitriyatul Laili
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
