Can We Pray While Traveling by Bus or Train?

Praise be to Allah

Summary:

Praying in vehicles like buses or trains is permissible only if you fear the time for obligatory prayer will end before reaching your destination, and it’s not possible to stop and pray on the ground. For nafl (supererogatory) prayers, the rules are more relaxed.

Detailed Answer:

Obligatory Prayers: Praying obligatory prayers in vehicles such as cars, planes, trains, or buses is generally not permissible unless there is a fear that the prayer time will expire before reaching your destination and you cannot stop to pray on the ground.

Regarding the direction of the qiblah and the position during the prayer, consider the following:

1. Facing the Qiblah:
   • If you can face the qiblah throughout the prayer, you must do so, as it is a condition for the validity of obligatory prayers whether traveling or not.
   • If facing the qiblah throughout the prayer is not possible, then you should fear Allah as much as you can and do your best to face it as much as possible.
2. Praying Position:
   • If you are able to stand, you should do so. If the situation restricts you, pray in the position that is feasible for you, prioritizing facing the qiblah as much as possible.

Supererogatory (Nafl) Prayers: For nafl prayers, the matter is more relaxed. It is permissible to pray in vehicles regardless of the direction they are facing. This relaxation is based on the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

Jabir narrated:

“The Prophet (PBUH) used to pray voluntary prayers while riding without facing the qiblah.”

(Narrated by al-Bukhari, Hadith 1094)

However, if possible, it is better to face the qiblah when starting to pray a nafl prayer while traveling.

Conclusion: For obligatory prayers, prioritize praying on the ground facing the qiblah. If that is not possible, pray in your vehicle facing the qiblah as much as you can. For nafl prayers, you have more flexibility and can pray in any direction while traveling.

And Allah knows best.