Q: Why is the sun perpendicular to the Kaaba?

Arabia Weather - The sun is perpendicular to the Kaaba due to its geographical location in relation to the sun’s orbit. This perpendicular occurs twice a year, and this is due to several astronomical and geographical reasons:

1. Inclination of the Earth's axis: The Earth's axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees with respect to the plane of the Earth's orbit around the Sun. As a result, the Sun moves north and south between the Tropic of Cancer (23.5 degrees north) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5 degrees south) during the year.
2. Location of Mecca: Mecca is located at a latitude of about 21.4 degrees north. When the sun is in its apparent motion between the Tropic of Cancer and the equator, it is in a position that corresponds to the latitude of Mecca.
3. Annual timing: The sun’s perpendicularity to the Kaaba occurs twice a year, the first on May 27-28, and the second on July 15-16. At these two times, the sun is completely vertical above the Kaaba at the local noon, making the shadows disappear completely at the Kaaba.

This phenomenon is useful in determining the direction of the Qibla anywhere on Earth, as people can look at the sun at these times and know the correct direction towards the Kaaba.