Fatwa ID: 01443

Answered by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question:

Is it permissible to pray fardh namaaz in the back of a parked (non-moving) truck/ large van? (Assuming there is enough space to stand up in and your direction is facing the qiblah)  eg from the prophet’s saying “Wherever you may be, at the time of salah, you may pray for it [the earth] is all a mosque." Would the floor of the truck/van be considered part of the “earth”? as when the van is parked it is touching the earth. 

Answer:

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

It will be permissible to read salah in the back of a non-moving van on the condition that the person faces the qiblah and performs the salah in a standing position.

A similar ruling can be found in the books of fiqh regarding a camel-drawn cart where the scholars have said it is permissible as long as the conditions mentioned above are found. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.88 v.4)

It is not necessary to perform the sajdah on the ground (Earth) for salah to be accepted. It is obligatory to prostrate on something, which the forehead can completely stabilise. Thus, prostration is not permitted on snow or rice in which the head cannot stabilise or settle. (Nurul Idah p.118) 

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham