✦ Ruling on Performing Salah During Air Travel ✦
❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding offering Salah during air travel? If a flight is traveling from Dubai to Pakistan, according to which country’s time should the prayer be calculated?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
① Whether the journey is by air, land, train, or bus, Salah remains obligatory at its appointed time.
② During travel, it is permissible to shorten (Qaṣr) and combine (Jam‘) two prayers, either through Jam‘ Taqdīm (early combination) or Jam‘ Ta’khīr (delayed combination).
① If it is possible to face the Qiblah, then one must perform Salah in that direction.
② If it is not possible, then Salah may be performed in the direction of the aircraft’s movement.
① If it is possible to stand and perform Salah in the aircraft, then one should stand.
② If the space is limited or standing is not permitted, then one may perform the Salah while sitting, as necessity alters rulings.
① If it is not possible to disembark from the aircraft, then both obligatory and voluntary prayers can be offered within the plane.
② This issue is discussed in detail in major Fiqh books.
① If one is traveling from Dubai to Pakistan and the time of Salah arrives during the flight, then the prayer should be performed based on the time of the country that is nearest at that moment.
② Usually, announcements are made during the flight regarding whether the plane is closer to Pakistan or Dubai. Salah times should be determined accordingly.
✔ Salah should not be missed during air travel; it should be offered whenever and wherever possible.
✔ Take advantage of the concession of Qaṣr and Jam‘.
✔ Try to face the Qiblah; if not possible, then face the direction of the aircraft.
✔ Perform Salah according to the prayer time of the country closest to your location.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding offering Salah during air travel? If a flight is traveling from Dubai to Pakistan, according to which country’s time should the prayer be calculated?
❖ Answer by:
Fadhilat al-Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir ḥafiẓahullāh
✦ Obligation of Salah During Travel
① Whether the journey is by air, land, train, or bus, Salah remains obligatory at its appointed time.
② During travel, it is permissible to shorten (Qaṣr) and combine (Jam‘) two prayers, either through Jam‘ Taqdīm (early combination) or Jam‘ Ta’khīr (delayed combination).
✦ Principle Regarding Facing the Qiblah
① If it is possible to face the Qiblah, then one must perform Salah in that direction.
② If it is not possible, then Salah may be performed in the direction of the aircraft’s movement.
✦ Standing or Sitting During Salah
① If it is possible to stand and perform Salah in the aircraft, then one should stand.
② If the space is limited or standing is not permitted, then one may perform the Salah while sitting, as necessity alters rulings.
✦ Performing Obligatory and Voluntary Prayers During Travel
① If it is not possible to disembark from the aircraft, then both obligatory and voluntary prayers can be offered within the plane.
② This issue is discussed in detail in major Fiqh books.
✦ Determining the Time of Salah According to Which Country?
① If one is traveling from Dubai to Pakistan and the time of Salah arrives during the flight, then the prayer should be performed based on the time of the country that is nearest at that moment.
② Usually, announcements are made during the flight regarding whether the plane is closer to Pakistan or Dubai. Salah times should be determined accordingly.
✦ Conclusion
✔ Salah should not be missed during air travel; it should be offered whenever and wherever possible.
✔ Take advantage of the concession of Qaṣr and Jam‘.
✔ Try to face the Qiblah; if not possible, then face the direction of the aircraft.
✔ Perform Salah according to the prayer time of the country closest to your location.
