Is it permissible to pray in a vehicle?

If it is not possible to get out and pray on the ground (for example, if the ground is muddy, the weather is extremely cold, there is a blizzard, etc.), or if getting out to pray would endanger oneself or one’s belongings, or if the prayer time would end before reaching a stop, then it is permitted to pray in a train, airplane, or other means of transportation.

The Noble Qur’an says: “(Allah) has not placed upon you in the religion any difficulty” (Surah al-Hajj, 78) and “So fear Allah as much as you are able” (Surah at-Taghabun, 16).

When praying obligatory or witr prayers in vehicles, one should face the qiblah and stand (qiyam) as much as possible.

If, due to a valid reason (such as illness, dizziness, etc.), one cannot stand to pray, then one may pray sitting. While sitting, one should fold the hands, recite the verses, bow (ruku‘) by leaning slightly forward, and perform sujud (prostration) as usual. If one can sit but cannot bow or prostrate, then one should bow slightly for ruku‘ and lean lower for sujud while sitting (Hidaya, 1/347).

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “Pray standing; if you cannot, then pray sitting; if you cannot do that, then pray lying on your side.” (Bukhari).

According to sharia, it is permitted to pray obligatory and witr prayers sitting on a boat at sea, even without a specific excuse. However, if possible, it is better to stand or to pray on land when the boat is docked. But it is not correct to pray sitting on a boat tied at the shore without a valid reason (Maraqi al-Falah, 346-348).

The traveler should face the qiblah when praying, as facing the qiblah is a condition for obligatory prayers. If it is not possible to face the qiblah, it is excused. Therefore, in an airplane or bus, one should pray facing the direction of the seat. In a train, one should try to face the qiblah as much as possible.

It is not obligatory to repeat a prayer performed in a vehicle while traveling.

Prepared by Hasan AMANKUL,

“Munara” newspaper, No. 21, 2021