What counts is the prayer time of the town to which one travelled

8-5-2013 | IslamWeb

Question:

On January 13th at 10 pm, I traveled from an American town (in which the prayer times are: Fajr 6:10 am, Shurooq 8:00 am and Ishaa’ 6:40 pm, I reached my destination in Germany on the 14th at 12 pm and the prayer times there were: Fajr 6:40 am Shurooq 8:10 am and Thuhr 12:30 pm. After finishing procedures, it was 1pm, so the plane departed after Ishaa’ and then arrived after Thuhr. Please note that the journey took eight hours. How could I offer the Fajr prayer of the January 14th? Taking into account that the time difference between the two cities is six hours so that if it is 12 pm in the American town, it will be 6 pm in the German one. May Allaah Reward you.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

The time for Fajr prayer for those travelling by plane starts with the emergence of the real Fajr. The Fajr time of the destination city or the one from which they departed does not count. So, if the Fajr time started while they are in the plane, then they are obliged to offer the prayer. However, if they could reach their destination before the time of Fajr ends (i.e. the sun rising), they should wait. But if they fear that the time will end before they are dropped off, then they must offer the prayer in the plane as according to what is possible.

Therefore, you did well if you offered the prayer in the plane. Otherwise, it is considered an aspect of negligence that implies repentance and seeking forgiveness and then you must make it up at once.

Allaah Knows best.