Question:
Is it permissible to offer salah while seated on the vehicle even if the journey distance is less than the distance of, i.e 80 kms, jamah but more than where in it becomes permissible to do qasar? May Allah reward you jazaka Allah.
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
It is related on the authority of Abd ‘Allah b. ‘Umar,
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلي سبحته حيثما توجهت به ناقته
“The Prophet Muhammad would perform supererogatory prayers in whichever way his camel was headed.” (Sahih Muslim v. 5, p. 933)
Also, on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar with the following wording,
أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يصلي على راحلته حيث توجهت به
“The Prophet Muhammad would pray on his camel in whichever direction it was headed.” (Ibid)
Also, on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar,
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسبح على الراحلة قبل أي وجه توجه ويوتر عليها غير أنه لا يصلي عليها المكتوبة
“The Prophet Muhammad would offer supererogatory prayer on his camel in whichever direction it was headed, and he would pray witr on it. He did not perform the prescribed prayers on it.” (Ibid v. 5, p. 934)
Thus, performing supererogatory prayers while seated in a vehicle is permissible. And, according to the Shafi’is, it is permissible on a long or short journey. However, one may not perform the prescribed prayers seated in a vehicle. Imam Nawawi stated that in a case where undue hardship would be found by getting off from one’s conveyance for prayer, then one may offer the prayer to the best of one’s ability. Later, it must be made up, as it is an extraordinary difficulty. (Sharh Sahih Muslim v. 5, p. 934-35)
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.