QUESTIONS
Is it permissible to pray inside airplane?
Is it permissible to pray inside airplane according to Maliki school of thought?
Answers
Ibrahim Saleh Al-Husseini: We, the Malikis, do not pray inside the plane, but if the plane is on the ground, we pray. But if the plane goes higher than Ka’ba, we do not pray. But I have seen a lot of people praying on planes and the matter has spread now. Once a group of Egyptian brothers, including ambassadors came to me, we had the ministers and officials with us, and they told to lead them for prayer in plane. I said, “I cannot lead you, because my school of Islam does not give me the right to do this, and I will lead, when I have the solid evidence to do it. Anyway, here is a man who is from Abuja to lead you in your prayers. ” And he prayed with them. I did not pray in the plane until I landed at the time of Zuhr and prayed on earth. Then we departed them. Now, if you are traveling on the plane, you will see a lot of people, pray sitting in the plane and such. But I do not support this, but if the plane is landed there is nothing wrong with that. I will stand on this issue firm until, I find a solid proof to replace it.