Ref: sal025/08
May 2008
Q: Please provide clarification on the following:
1- Whilst travelling in a plane how must Salaah be performed:
a) If space is available must one stand
b) If the plane is full can one remain in ones seat
2- What direction must one face if the plane is full & the direction is away from Qiblah?
3- Due to Islaamphobia, will it be better to remain seated and perform Salaah?
A:
1- Salaah must be performed standing. Generally the front of a cabin or the back of the plane are available to perform one’s Salaah standing. One should try and pray at such a time that is less inconvenient for the crew, e.g. After they have completed their service.
2- One should try to ascertain the direction of Makkah, Saudi Arabia either from the cabin crew or other people and face that direction. If this cannot be obtained then one should exercise one’s discretion and locate the Qiblah.
3- No, this is no excuse to read one’s Salaah seated. Rather permission should be sought from the cabin crew politely and it is our experience that they will not generally refuse. Alternatively one may try to take flights that least interfere with one’s Salaah times.
Ameer, Darul Ihsan Islamic Services Centre