Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.

Dear brother Edward! Thanks for your interest in contacting us.

As regards your question, we’d like first to state that the Islamic teachings are flexible and not rigid, for Islam caters for all peoples’ conditions and future changes. Thus, we find the Prophet of Islam commanding Muslims saying, “If I order you to do something, do it as best as you can.”

Responding to your question, Dr. Rif`at Fawzi, Professor of Shari`ah at Cairo University, states:

While in the space (i.e. outside the atmosphere of the earth, as is the case with astronauts) a person can perform prayers according to the available means. He should strive hard to perform prayer while directing his face to the Qiblah, if he can do so.

However, if he finds it difficult to perform prayer while facing the Qiblah, he is permitted not to face it as long as he is driven by necessity.

Almighty Allah knows best.