Traveler's Salaah (By Plane, Bus or Boat)

[ummtaalib]

Traveler's Salat (By Plane)

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

Q 1.) When does the travel start? While leaving home or when the plane exits the runway?

A 1.) The calculation of Safar (88 kms.) or more commences from home. However, a Musaafir (traveller) will make Qasr (perform two Rakaats in Dhuhr, Asr and Esha Salats) upon leaving the housing area of the vicinity.

 

 

Q 2.) Is it necessary for a person in airplane to make Wudu or Tayammum and then perform Qasr Salat?

A 2.) It is necessary to have Wudhu before performing Salat in the airplane.

 

 

Q 3.) If we know the approximate Qibla direction then is it necessary to be in its direction on the seat of plane?

A 3.) If it is possible for one to stand and perform Salat in the plane, it will not be permissible to sit and perform Salat in the plane.

 

 

Q 4.) How we will do Ruku and Sujood on the seat?

A 4.) Ref 3

 

 

Q 5.) How we will know that in that specific region from which the plane is passing, the time of Salat has started or it's ending?

A 5.) One can inquire from the flight attendants the times for different regions.

 

 

Q 6.) How the Jamaat can be performed on the seats? Should the Imam be ahead of other Muqtadi?

A 6.) Due to shortage of space, Salat in the plane should be performed individually.

 

 

Q 7.) When does the travel end? When the plane reaches the destination airport or when we reach the hotel or some other place?

A 7.) Safar (travel) ends only upon returning home.

In principle, a Musaafir is exempt from performing the Sunnat-e-Muakkadah (emphasized Sunnats) before and after Fard Salats. However, if time permits, it will be meritorious for him to perform the Sunnah Salats as well.

[ummtaalib]

Traveling by Train or Aeroplane

 

Question

How I perform salat during travelling through train or aeroplane as there is difficult to find out proper direction of qibla. Also, it is difficult for one to stand for salat and manage his balance due to continuous to and fro movement one feels in the train and some times in the aeroplanes. Does one delayed his salat during travelling in train / aeroplane and wait for nearby station / airport. Is there any rule that one will return his salat which he prayed in the train / aeroplane whenever he reaches his destination? If yes, then how he will offer that salat again? Should he re-offer his already offered salat in train / aeroplane in normal way or as qaza salat?

 

Answer

Shari'ah has emphasised on performing Fardh Slaat on time. When you undertake a journey, you should first consider your Salaat and schedule your travelling in a way that enables you to perform Salaat out of the mode of transport. If that is not possible, then you should make arrangements to perform Salaat in the mode of transport. That is easily possible when travelling by plane or train. In doing so, ensure that you do not cause any inconvenience to the flight or programme in an aeroplane. Request the flight attendants service for performing Salaat in the plane.

 

The Salaat in the plane and train must be performed with the Qiyaam (standing posture) and facing the Qibla direction. In a plane, generally, there is no sudden change in direction. If that happens in the train while performing Salaat, then you should change direction accordingly. The Salaat performed in the plane or train in the standing posture while facing and maintaining the Qibla direction will be valid. The Salaat does not have to be repeated. If you are unable to perform Salaat in the bus with those two conditions, standing and Qiblah, then perform Salaat on the seat and thereafter repeat the Salaat.

 

and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

Source

[ummtaalib]

Performing Salah on a Plane, Bus or Boat

 

Question

I noticed a person praying salah on the coach whilst travelling, would the salah be valid? The person was sitting whilst praying. The coach was not stationary. Similarly I see a lot of people praying on the plane whilst sitting would that be valid.

 

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Your question will be looked at in the following three ways;

 

1. Salah on an aeroplane
2. Salah on a ship or boat
3. Salah on a train or bus.

 

With regards to salah on an aeroplane, it is an issue where there are different opinions regarding its validity. It is therefore, best one does not perform ones salah one board if one feels that he will be able to perform his salah when the plane lands. If that is not possible or there is a danger that the salah may become qadha then one can pray the salah on board the plane.  However, it should be borne in mind that it is incumbent in that situation to pray salah standing, performing the ruku and sajdah properly facing towards the qiblah. If any one of these three conditions are missing one will be obliged to repeat the salah again. (Imdadul Fatawa p.587 v.1 & Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.156 v.2)

 

With regards to salah on a ship or boat, a moving ship allows a person to pray salah sitting down even without an excuse. However, it is best to perform the salah standing up. If the ship is anchored at sea, though is not being swayed, then it is regarded as a still ship at shore. A few rules are derived concerning a still ship at shore; if one offers prayer standing with part of the ship on the ground, his prayer is valid. If not, then his prayer is invalid unless he is unable to exit the ship, in which case he may offer the prayer standing. (Nurul Idah p.190 & Maraqi Falah p.421)

 

Regarding salah on a train or bus, it is permissible to perform salah on a train or on a bus irrespective of whether the train or bus is moving or stationery. However, the conditions attached to the validity of such a salah are that the person stands and that he faces the qiblah. Salah will be invalid if any of these two conditions are not met.

 

If the crowd is so much, one may perform salah sitting down and facing in any direction possible. However, one will be required to repeat his salah afterwards. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.88 v.4 & Fatawa Darul Uloom Deoband p.156 v.2)

 

Finally, it should be borne in mind that any salah performed sitting on a seat even though they are able to perform salah standing would be considered invalid. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah p.229 v.14 & Imdadul Fatawa p.568 v.1)

 

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham