According to KH. Ahmad Rifa’i the qibla direction of Javanese is between the west and northwest. This argumentation is explaned in Absyar book. KH.Ahmad Rifa’i contend without astronomical approach, He just presupposition at that book because no tool to find the qibla direction axcept a compass at that time, and regard that the qibla for Javanese is same, because he admit the Java Island is small by approximating Java can be seen by four finger from Mecca and can be crossed just six days.
This study aims to find the implementation of the qibla direction referred to the Absyar book and How the respond of Society to the concept of qibla direction referred to the Absyar book. This study concludes the type of qualitative research and includes field research with anthropology and sociology approach. In this research the authors used three methods of data collection, namely documentation, observation and interviews.
The primary data is taken form the results of interviews with Kyai Zainal Abidin. S.pd as adminstrasion of Rifa'iyah organizations and residents of Rifa'iyah. and the secondary data are book of Absyar, astronomy books and internet links that discuss the qibla direction related to this study. Meanwhile to study of Qibla Direction according to KH.Ahmad Rifa’i discouse uses descriptive and observative analytic method.
This result’s show, has two findings, first the society of Rifa’iyah in reality have been following the modern thecnology to find the qibla direction, in actualization they always chek their qibla by using qibla roshdul and teodolite. And the responses of the society to Absyar book is no wrong argue,although many varian to respond it. Some of them agree with KH. Ahmad Rifa’i’s respond but not to do it. because that was enough accurate at that time although just use a compass to find the qibla, and they learn that book to honor KH.Ahmad Rifa’i but in reality they use qibla roshdul. And some of them no commentary to KH. Ahmad Rifa’i and just listen and obey it.