Salah (Prayer) on a Ship

“I once heard abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), being asked about Salah (prayer) in the ship. He (the Imam) said, ‘If you can come out to hard ground, you must do so; but if you cannot do so, then perform Salah (prayer) standing, if you cannot do so, then perform Salah (prayer) while sitting and try to make it toward al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah).’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), was asked about performing Salah (prayer) in ships. He (the Imam) said, ‘One must face al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) and when it makes a turn, if one is able to face al- Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) one must do so, otherwise, it is whichever direction it faces.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘If one can perform in a standing position, it must be done so, otherwise, one can sit down to perform his Salah (prayer).”’

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who is in a ship and does not know the direction of al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah). He (the Imam) said, ‘He must make an effort to find the direction al-Qiblah (al-Ka‘bah) and if he cannot find it, performs Salah (prayer) facing toward where its head is.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of Salah (prayer) in the ship. He (the Imam) said, ‘If it is heavily loaded and when you stand up it does not shake, perform Salah (prayer) in a standing position, but if it is light that can turn upside down, then perform Salah (prayer) in a sitting position.’”

“One abu al-Hassan (a.s.), and I were in a ship on the Tigris. It became time for Salah (prayer) and I said, ‘I pray to Allah to keep my soul in service for your cause, can we perform Salah (prayer) in congregation? He (the Imam) said, ‘No, we perform Salah (prayer) in the valley in congregation.’”