What is the ruling on performing prayer on an airplane, and how is it performed?
Performing prayer while moving is permissible only for one who is afraid of harm in his life or wealth until the end of the time of prayer; because Allah Almighty has said: ﴿فَإِنْ خِفْتُمْ فَرِجَالًا أَوْ رُكْبَانًا﴾[1]; “And if you fear, then (perform prayer) on foot or riding.” Therefore, if he performs prayer while moving and then his fear goes away and there is still time for prayer, he must repeat it; because Allah Almighty has said: ﴿فَإِذَا أَمِنْتُمْ فَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ﴾[2]; “And when you are safe, remember Allah,” and said: ﴿فَإِذَا اطْمَأْنَنْتُمْ فَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ﴾[3]; “And when you are secure, perform prayer.” One who performs prayer while moving must perform as much of the prayer as he can while facing the Qiblah and in the usual manner, and for the parts he cannot do, facing any direction and in any manner he can; because Allah Almighty has said: ﴿لَا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا﴾[4]; “Allah does not impose upon anyone an obligation but to the extent of his ability,” and said: ﴿وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ﴾[5]; “And He has laid upon you no hardship in religion” He must at least say the opening Takbir while facing the Qiblah; as one of our companions informed us, he said:
«سَأَلْتُ الْمَنْصُورَ عَنِ الصَّلَاةِ فِي الطَّيَّارَةِ، فَقَالَ: اسْتَقْبِلِ الْقِبْلَةَ وَكَبِّرْ، ثُمَّ اسْتَقْبِلْ حَيْثُ تَسْتَقْبِلُ الطَّيَّارَةُ، وَلَا تُصَلِّ فِيهَا مَكْتُوبَةً إِلَّا وَأَنْتَ خَائِفٌ، قُلْتُ: أُصَلِّي فِيهَا جَالِسًا؟ قَالَ: تُصَلِّي قَائِمًا أَبَدًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبِكَ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَبِالْإِيمَاءِ، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَبِالنِّيَّةِ، وَهَذَا كَقَوْلِ الْحَدَّادِ لِفَتَاهُ: مُتْ وَأَنْتَ نَافِخٌ!»; “I asked Mansoor about performing prayer on an airplane, so he said: ‘Turn toward the Qiblah and say, “Allahu Akbar,” then turn toward whichever direction the airplane turns, and do not perform any obligatory prayer on it unless you are afraid (that you will miss it)!’ I said: ‘Should I perform prayer while sitting on it?’ He said: ‘You always perform prayer while standing, and if you cannot, while sitting, and if you cannot, while on your side, and if you cannot, with a gesture, and if you cannot, with intention, and this is like the words of the blacksmith (in the well-known proverb) who said to his apprentice: Die and blow!’[6]”[7]