Muslims out of this world

19-11-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

If a Muslim is in outer space or on another planet, how should he go about-facing Mecca while praying? In the movie pitch black, the Muslim characters look up while praying from the surface of another planet. If the person praying is in orbit around the Earth (making a full trip around the globe every 90 minutes or so) would he have to change position during prayer to keep facing Mecca?

---

Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

In reality, a Muslim is required to perform prayers in their fixed times at all times, in all places and under all circumstances as long as he is sane.
So, if he is in the outer space or on another planet, he has to perform the prayers turning his face to al-Qiblah. If he cannot specify its direction, he has to follow the direction that he knows on earth. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {… And wheresoever you people are, turn your faces (in prayer) in that direction. …} [2: 144].
If he does not know its direction, then he has to do his best to determine that and his prayers are valid even though he makes sure later that was not the correct direction. This is the opinion of the majority of Muslim scholars.
Abdullah Ibn 'Amar (Radiya Allahu Anhu) reported that: "We were with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) on a journey in a dark night, and we could not specify the direction of al-Qiblah. So, every one performed a prayer according to his own direction. In the morning, we told that to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam). Thus, Allah revealed to His Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam): {so wherever you turn yourselves or your faces there is the Face of Allâh (and He is High above, over His Throne). …} [2: 115].
As for raising one's sight to the sky or upwards, this action is not permitted. Some scholars believe such an action makes prayer void for the Prophetic Hadith: "Why do some people raise their sight to the sky during the prayer?" Then he added: "They should stop such a deed or their sight may be taken away" [Reported by Imams al-Bukhari and Muslim ].
As a result, a Muslim has to perform prayer according to the method he can do and he should turn to al-Qiblah wherever he is, i.e. to do his best to perform the prayer and to be towards al-Qiblah.
Allah knows best.