Implementation of the Spherical Trigonometry Algorithm in a Qibla Direction Application

TL;DR

This paper presents a mobile app that accurately determines Qibla direction using spherical trigonometry, GPS, and device sensors, ensuring precise prayer orientation for Muslims worldwide.

Contribution

It integrates spherical trigonometry algorithms with mobile technology in a cross-platform app, achieving high accuracy and user-friendly design for religious practice.

Findings

Azimuth calculation accuracy within one degree

Successful integration of sensors for real-time data

Stable and user-friendly application performance

Abstract

This research explores the implementation of a spherical trigonometry algorithm in the development of QiblatKita, a mobile-based Qibla direction application designed to address the need for accurate and accessible prayer direction tools for Muslims, especially in the context of global mobility and diverse geographical settings. Built using the Flutter framework to ensure cross-platform compatibility and near-native performance, the application integrates critical device sensors, including GPS, magnetometer, and accelerometer, to collect real-time positional and orientation data. The Agile Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) was adopted to facilitate iterative refinement and responsiveness to user feedback. By applying the Haversine formula and Spherical Law of Cosines, the system calculates the azimuth angle between the user's location and the Kaaba with high precision, achieving an angular deviation of less than one degree in testing. The results confirm that QiblatKita offers a stable, user-friendly, and scientifically grounded solution, effectively merging spherical trigonometry with modern mobile technology to support religious practice in the digital era.