How to practice Islam in space?
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Malaysia's National Space Agency is holding a conference to consider Muslim astronauts pray in space as the country prepares to send its first citizen into orbit. Three of the four astronaut candidates selected so far are Muslims. Two will eventually be trained and sent into space by Russia. Performing ablutions for Muslim prayers with water rationing in space and preparing food according to Islamic standards will be among issues discussed. The astronaut will also visit the International Space Station, which circles the earth 16 times in 24 hours, so another thorny question is how to pray five times a day as required by Islam. Muslims also have to turn towards Mecca to pray and working out which direction that will be while hovering above the earth might be challenging. Related: Prayer rug that indicates the direction it should be turned, and some London jail toilets face away from Mecca. Via Off Center < Space Travel. |
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Every common muslim knows the thing that while travelling muslims can shorten their prayer and he don't bother about the direction towards the Mecca. No muslims can have permission to make new rules for any situation but its already defined before 1400 years by the prophet Mohamed( may Allah bless him and grant him peace) for any situation for any centaury
Consider the following from his sayings(hadith)
It is related that 'Abdullah said, "I prayed two rak'ats at Mina with the Prophet, Abu Bakr and 'Umar, and also with 'Uthman at the beginning of his rule, but he later did the prayer in full."
It is related that 'Abdullah ibn Dinar said, "During journeys 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar used to pray on his mount using gestures no matter which way it turned. 'Abdullah said that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to do that." (Muwatta, Book 9, 28)
Not to mention, you can probably make exceptions for something as extreme as space travel.
When you're not on the plane of the earth there is no day or night and you do not have to pray towards the Mecca at intervals. But you should still pray sometime.
Look it is given in the Holy Quran, that if u dont know or cannot know which side is the direction of prayer, then pray in any direction as both of the east and both of the west(which means north, south, east and west) belong to Allah and he will accept it , Inshallah.
I hope this helped, and yes it is, that u r allowed to shorten ur payer when u r on a journey, but i think that if it goes too long u r supposed to pray it in full, but im not sure. But Inshallah, Allah shall accept there prayers.
the link you provided for Malaysia space agency is actully for Indonesia agency, not malaysia
An exception would make sense.
I just can't imagine having to literally perform the Salat in space while orbiting around earth, I mean, are you supposed to also turn according to where Mecca is?
God is not in Mecca, He hears your prayers no matter where you are. I thought this was an unnecessary discussion.
THE THING IS THAT HOW WOULD YOU PRAY LIKE IF YOU ARE AN ORBIT AND PRAYING YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO SIT OR STAND ON THE FLOOR OR SOMETHING YOU WILL BE LIKE FLYIN AND YOU CAN'T FACE TO THE EARTH FOR FACING MECCA ..I DONT KNO MUCH ABT ISLAM BUT IS THAT POSSIBLE??