How To Perform Salat When At Sea

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows falling astray, none can guide them aright.

Ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam, was asked about offering prayer on board a ship. The man said: “How could I offer prayer on a ship?” The Prophet, Sallallaahu ‘Alayhi Wa Sallam, replied: “Offer it standing unless you fear drowning.” [Al-Haakim and classed as Sahih by Al-Albaani]

Question:
Is it permissible to perform Salah on a moving ship? If one were to perform his fard, sunnah, or nafil would they be valid?

Answer:
Whether a ship is anchored or sails out at sea, it is permissible to perform Salah while aboard. If a tied boat is floating on water and is not on solid ground, and the traveler is able to get off and pray on the bank, then it would not be permissible to perform fard, witr, and sunnah of the Fajr salat on a floating boat.
If a person or persons on the boat are unable to get off due to someone else’s power of decision or circumstances beyond their control, then prayer must be performed, and it is required that they pray Salah again, once on land.

Question:
Which way we should face for prayer, and what if we don’t have much room to turn our face in a different direction?

Answer:
If the believer is at sea, and the ship is apparently moving, the believer must strive to determine which way or direction is the Qibla and start his prayer in that direction.
If the believer knows or can determine the direction of the Qibla, it is not permissible to intentionally pray in any other direction other than the Qibla.

Related: Duaas When Rain, Thunder, And Wind

Question:
When traveling do we have to pray salaat-e-Qas`r or regular prayer?

Answer:
Since you are on a journey, there is no harm if you pray Qasr or shortened prayers.

Question:
What if a Muslim, is sailing and his ship is in some other country and he has to fly to that country to catch up with the ship while returning, does he have to break his fasting because of Qasr, or does he has to fast without Qasr?

Answer:
The Merciful Lord has allowed the believers who are on a journey to fast if they wish or to leave their fast if they so wish, and make up their fasts later when they are home. There is no harm if one chooses to fast; as the praying of Qasr or shortened prayers have no bearing on the validity of the fasts.

Whatever is written of truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s assistance and guidance, and whatever error is of us. Allah alone knows best and He is the only source of strength.

Reference: Islamhelpline, http://www.islamhelpline.net/