Istiqbal al-qibla requires facing the Kaaba. Someone outside turns toward the building; someone inside faces a part of that very structure.
The Hanafi reasoning treats the part faced at the commencement of the prayer as the relevant direction. Having another side of the building behind the worshipper is not equivalent to turning away from the qibla altogether.
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Prayer in, Around, and on the Roof of the Kaaba
Istiqbal al-qibla requires facing the Kaaba. Someone outside turns toward the building; someone inside faces a part of that very structure.
The Hanafi reasoning treats the part faced at the commencement of the prayer as the relevant direction. Having another side of the building behind the worshipper is not equivalent to turning away from the qibla altogether.