What is the ruling regarding a niche whose association (Muslim or otherwise) is unknown?
Chapter on Facing the Qiblah
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If a niche is found whose association is unknown, one must use independent legal reasoning (Ijtihad) and disregard the niche. This is because using a niche for determining the Qibla is permissible only for the niches of Muslims, and the presence of a Muslim niche cannot be assumed.