Salah (Prayer) on a Ship

2. Ali has narrated from his father and Muhammad ibn Yahya from Ahmad ibn Muhammad all from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad ibn ‘Uthaman who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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).”’

3. Ali has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from certain persons of his people who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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.’”

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn from Yazid ibn Ishaq from Harun ibn Hamzah al-Ghanawiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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.’”

5. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad from abu Hashim al-Ja‘fariy who has said the following: “One abu al-Hassan عليه السلام, 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.’”