Can I pray Fard or Sunnah Mu'akkada salats on a plane/train sitting?

1. Whilst in your hometown, being a resident or staying or intending to stay in another town for 15 days or more, it is compulsory upon you to perform full Salaat. It will then only become obligatory upon you to perform Qasr Salaat when you leave the boundary of your town with the firm intention of undertaking a journey of 48 miles or more. It is therefore, necessary upon you to implore and exhaust all possible avenues and methods in determining the distance between the two towns. If you are unsuccessful in doing so, you will obviously not be able to make an intention of traveling 48 miles or more, hence, it will only be appropriate that you perform your full Salaat.

2. In regards to Fardh Salaat, if one is able to stand and perform his Salaat, then it is compulsory for him to do so. If he does not stand despite having the ability to do so, his Salaat will not be correct. This same law applies to one whether he is performing his Salaat in his hometown or whilst on a journey, in a train or a plane. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyya vol.14 pg.229). As for Sunnah Salaats, it will be permissible to perform it sitting. Reason being that the emphasis placed upon Sunnah Salaats does not apply to a Musaafir. In fact, whilst on a journey, Sunnah Salaats enjoys the same status as Nafl Salaats in the sense that one will not be sinful if he omits it. However, if one has the ability to perform the Sunnah Salaat without inconveniencing himself then it is preferable for him to do so. (Darrul Mukhtaar vol.1 pg.585)

3. If you performed your Esha Salaat sitting despite having the ability to stand, it will not be correct. You will have to repeat the Salaat regardless of whether landed at the airport during the time of Esha Salaat or after the time expired.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.