Chapter on the Prayer in the Ship

From him, from Muhammad ibn Ahmad al-Alawi from al-‘Amraki al-Bufaki from Ali ibn Ja’far from Imam Musa ibn Ja’far عليه السلام, peace be upon them both, who said: I asked Imam al-Kadhim عليه السلام about a group of people, who prayed in congregation on a ship, where does the imam (of prayer) stand? And if there are women with them, how should they proceed? Should they pray standing or sitting? Imam عليه السلام said: “They pray standing, and if they are unable to stand, they pray sitting (all of them). The imam (of prayer) stands in front of them, and the women are behind them. And if the ship is narrow, the women sit and the men pray, and there is no harm if the women are beside them.” And I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man whose belongings were taken or drowned, and he remained naked, and the time for prayer arrived. How should he pray? Imam عليه السلام said: “If he finds grass (or vegetation) with which he can cover his private parts, he should then complete his prayer with bowing and prostration. And if he does not find anything to cover his private parts, he should gesture while standing.”