Muslimi avaruudessa

Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, the Malaysian orthopaedic surgeon aboard the International Space Station, can observe Ramadan and perform other acts of Muslim worship by following the guidelines set out in this small booklet, which was produced by 150 Islamic scholars and scientists at a conference held 18 months ago by the Malaysian National Space Agency.

Issues on how to do istinja’ (washing-up), determining prayer time and the direction of Qibla,performing solat (prayer), defining time of fasting, caring for the deceased, and others, have brought concern within the Muslim community

3.7 Caring of the Deceased
i. The deceased need to be brought back to Earth for normal funeral process.
ii. In the case the former is not possible; the deceased should be buried in space with a simple funeral process. (Miten? Luukusta pihalle vai?)
3.5 Praying
i. Daily prayers could be performed in Jamak (combined) and Qasar (shortened), without the need to Qadha’ (compensate) the prayer.
ii. The performance of the physical postures (such as standing, bowing and prostrating) is to suit the conditions in ISS, prioritizing as follows:
a. If upright standing is not possible, then any standing posture,
b. Sitting. Bowing is by bringing down the chin closer to the knee or the prostrating place,
c. Lying down on the right side with body facing the direction of Qibla,
d. Lying flat
e. Using the eye lid as an indicator of the changing of postures in prayer,
f. Imagining the sequence of prayer.
4.1 Food
If there is doubt on whether the food served on ISS it is halal or not, it is then permissible to eat
the food on the basis of not to starve.
i. Cleansing from minor impurity (ablution)
Cleansing from minor impurity is by tayammum or dry ablution. This could be done by
striking both palms of hands on a clean surface auch as wall or mirror of the ISS (even
without dust).
ii. Cleansing from major impurity
Cleansing from major impurity is the same way as in 3.2 (i).

3.3 Determining the Direction of Qibla
Qibla direction is based on what is possible, prioritizing as below:
i. The Ka’aba
ii. The projection of Ka’aba
iii. The Earth
iv. Wherever