How Do Muslims Face Mecca When Praying in Space?

TL;DR

Islamic scholars have developed guidelines for Muslim astronauts to practice their faith in space, including determining prayer times and facing Mecca.

Transcript

The first Muslim person in space was Royal Saudi Air Force pilot Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in 1985 aboard the United States shuttle Discovery. He was followed up by the first Muslimah in space, Anousheh Ansari, who, upon immigrating to America from Iran in her teens subsequently got a degree in electrical engineering and computer scie... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🦯 Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Anousheh Ansari were the first Muslim individuals to travel to space.
• 👨‍🚀 Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor raised questions about religious practices while in space, leading to the development of guidelines for Muslim astronauts.
• 😷 Muslim astronauts are asked to pray based on the day cycle of their last location on Earth and make an honest effort to face Mecca during prayers.
• 📿 Postures and gestures for prayer are adapted for the weightless environment, with emphasis on concentrating on the prayer itself rather than the exact orientation.
• 👾 Muslims traveling to space is encouraged by Islam, with obligations to maintain the sustainability of the space environment and observe peace with other beings.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do Muslim astronauts determine prayer times in space?

Muslim astronauts are instructed to base their prayer times on the day cycle of the last place on Earth they were located, rather than sunrise/sunset schedules from their perspective in space.

Q: What should Muslim astronauts do if prayer interrupts their duties?

The guidelines state that Muslim astronauts can forgo or shorten their prayers if necessary and make up for them when they have time.

Q: How do Muslim astronauts determine the direction of Mecca in space?

Muslim astronauts are encouraged to use their best judgement and make an earnest attempt to face Mecca as they begin their prayers.

Q: How do Muslim astronauts adapt their prayer postures in a weightless environment?

The guidelines prioritize various postures, including standing if possible, sitting, bowing by bringing the chin closer to the knee or prostrating place, lying down on the right side, lying flat, using eye lid movements as indicators, and even imagining the sequence of prayer if no other options are available.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The first Muslim in space was Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud followed by Anousheh Ansari, the first Muslimah in space.

• In 2007, Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor raised questions about how to pray and observe Ramadan while in space.

• The Malaysian National Space Agency and the Department of Islamic Development convened a conference with scholars to establish guidelines for Muslim astronauts, addressing prayer times and facing Mecca.