Religious ruling on praying while on a train

What is the Islamic ruling on performing prayer on a train?

Prayer is one of the most important Islamic obligations. Muslims worldwide are first recognized by their hijab and then by their prayer. Many of us have faced special circumstances during travel—limited time for prayer and no possibility to stop. What is our duty in such conditions? Stay with Saed News to learn about the rulings on praying on a moving train.

Opinions of Religious Authorities on Praying on a Train

• All Authorities: The place of prayer must be still. However, if due to limited time or necessity one must pray on a moving plane or train, they should maintain facing the Qibla and remain as stable as possible, and not recite anything while turning toward the Qibla.

• Question: When praying on a moving ship or train, if people deviate from the Qibla, what should they do?
  Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: Praying on a ship, train, or similar is permissible if one can properly perform prayer actions. If due to limited time or other necessity one must pray there and the Qibla direction keeps changing, one should face the Qibla as much as possible, and avoid reciting during turning toward Qibla.

• Question: How should one pray in a train or car? Is bowing enough, or must one prostrate on something?
  Ayatollah Sistani: One should pray as normally as possible, observing Qibla and other conditions; if impossible, then at least at the opening Takbir. If even that is not possible, the requirement to face Qibla is lifted. Ruku’ (bowing) and sujood (prostration) should be done fully if possible; if not, then bending enough to count as bowing or prostration is sufficient.

• Question: Is prayer on a moving train or plane valid?
  Ayatollah Khamenei: The place of prayer must be still so the person can pray calmly without involuntary movements. Therefore, prayer in moving vehicles like cars or trains is invalid unless forced by lack of time. During obligatory prayers, one should turn to maintain Qibla direction and remain silent during turning.

• Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi: If the place is moving and prevents normal prayer actions, prayer is invalid. If one can perform prayer properly, it's valid. If forced by limited time, one should try to face the Qibla as much as possible and avoid reciting while turning.

• Ayatollah Sistani: If one can observe Qibla and stability during prayer on a plane or train, prayer is valid. Otherwise, if possible, pray after leaving the vehicle. But if prayer time is tight, one must pray inside.

• Ayatollah Wahid Khorasani: Prayer on a stationary vehicle is valid; but if moving in a way that prevents calmness and fulfilling prayer obligations, it is invalid. One must plan to pray calmly facing Qibla unless forced to pray in a moving vehicle.

• Ayatollah Safi Golpayegani: Praying in a moving vehicle is permissible if time is limited.

Traveler’s Prayer Etiquette According to Leading Scholars

a) A traveler should shorten four-rak’ah prayers to two, but this ruling has eight conditions, including minimum travel distance, intention, and not staying in one place for ten days or more. (Tozih al-Masa'il Mohashi, vol. 1, p.183)

b) It is recommended for the traveler to recite “Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar” thirty times after each shortened prayer, especially after Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha (even 60 times is better). (ibid, p.733)

c) According to most scholars, a traveler may choose between shortening and full prayer in four sacred places: Masjid al-Haram, Masjid al-Nabawi, the shrine of Imam Hussein, and Masjid Kufa. (Al-Urwatul Wuthqa, Ayatollah Tabatabai Yazdi, vol. 2, p.163)

d) A traveler who finds it hard to perform night prayers after midnight may perform them earlier. (Tozih al-Masa'il Mohashi, vol.1, p.429)

e) Performing voluntary prayers while traveling is permissible except the voluntary Dhuhr and Asr prayers for travelers who shorten their prayers. (Al-Urwatul Wuthqa, vol. 2, p.245)

f) Performing obligatory prayers inside a moving train or bus is not permitted; the traveler should wait until the vehicle stops and pray calmly on solid ground facing the Qibla. However, if missing the prayer is likely, passengers should ask the driver to stop at a suitable place, and the driver is religiously obligated to comply. If no stop occurs, prayer should be performed inside the vehicle. (Tozih al-Masa'il Mohashi, vol.1, p.841)