Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
What is the legal ruling on jetlag. I recently missed a single pray on account of jet lag after a 14 hour flight. while I quickly made this up, is this missed pray considered qada, or not due to extenuating circumstances? thank you in advance.
In the Name of Allah, Most Merciful and Compassionate. May His blessings and peace be on His Beloved Prophet, the best of creation, and his family, companions, and followers
Assalamu alaikum,
Shariah rulings relate to human actions. Thus, jetlag itself does not have a legal ruling; how one reacts to it, however, does.
One is obliged to take all reasonable means to perform each prayer within its time, and to avoid that which prevents performing each prayer within its time. Thus, one should find out how to lessen the effect of jetlag, and take the means to be able to wake up for each prayer. If one does this and still misses a prayer, one will not be sinful (though one will still be obliged to make up that missed prayer). If one does not take all reasonable means and misses a prayer, one will be sinful: one must repent and make it up.
And Allah alone gives success.
Faraz Rabbani