There isn't actually that much movement relative to Mecca at that distance from earth. You could just point yourself in the right direction, pray, and by the time you were done it wouldn't have moved enough to matter much. Almost all man made satellites, including the ISS, orbit such that they are going the same direction the earth is spinning which lowers their relative speed compared to any given point on the ground quite a bit. Mix that with their distance from the ground and it makes it not so big a deal.
The real problem is how the fuck do you use a prayer mat in 0g?
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It wouldn't let me post the two bits together so I had to make them two seperate comments :(
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It’s not racist... I mean... “Muslim” isn’t a “race” to start with... but it’s “ignorant” which we take as such an insult- but it is ok to not know everything or have seen everything or be familiar with everything. We all start somewhere and asking questions is one way. Was it a genuine question of curiosity it was he making fun? I can’t say. It’s usually best to assume it’s genuine and respond as such.
On earth it is not always practical to face Mecca or know where it is. If you are on a plane or train etc- you are moving just as you would be on a space station- slower- but the direction which you correctly faced at the start of prayer- might not be the direction you are facing by the time you finish because of the movement.
In general it is held as acceptable that you simply START praying in the direction you need to face- or if you can’t determine the direction you do your best to estimate the direction- and barring that you visualize that you are facing it. The acts of Muslim Prayer are largely symbolic- and many aren’t always practical. Ritual washing before prayer- on earth in the desert or elsewhere- or on a space station- water can be in short supply. So there are other symbolic gestures one can do if there are no other options- to show that they mean these things- and be “spiritually” doing what is meant to be done by the devout.
The standing and kneeling and such of prayer is difficult or impossible to do in space- as is the requirement one face the ground. These are intended to make clear that one is prostrate before God and that one is not worshiping the sun or moon. But if for whatever reason you can’t do these things- there are other things you can do- even move your eyelids to mimic the actions you would do with your body.
Just the same that you can make do breaking traditions on earth if you CANNOT or it would be insane to ask that you observe them strictly- the same holds true in space. Catholics lacking wine or wafers can still carry out communion if they don’t have options. Etc. Etc. So that’s is in general terms how a Muslim can pray in space. Individual communities and sects may make their own rulings on what is the “best” or acceptable practice in these circumstances- but in general Muslim Prayer is about devotion to God- so long as that is the purpose in their hearts and minds, and they approach with humility and reverence- that is the most important thing. To pray “correctly” in procedure but with a heart that isn’t in the right place is more damning in almost any religion than to not be able to adhere to strict practice of formalities.
Just for a bit of extra perspective on this, in cherokee culture your intend with a "ritual" is far more important than the execution is and using substitute bits like warm water instead of cold water or tap water istead of spring water will work but it'll be considered not as strong an effect.
Actually the rule is that even in situations where you aren’t sure you pray towards what you think is right. If you’re traveling then you pray in the general direction even if your vessel might change course over that time. Intention is what matters when you pray in Islam. Considering how this is fairly common knowledge the tweet might just have to be tagged under “yeah I’m sure that happened and you’re not just writing that cause it’s a funny joke you came up with”
Lacy is likely more knowledgeable on this than me- so doesn’t need my agreement. But to follow up to the original statement- yes. As a GENERAL rule- most religious authorities of major Muslim delegations rule that the INTENT and what is in your heart when you pray is more important than the rituals of prayer. The rituals of prayer are symbolic- and one SHOULD make every practical effort to either follow them- or to perform their “best substitution” based on practical constraints. No water to wash before? Use sand. Sand is toxic where you are? Pretend- “air clean” yourself. It’s more important to have faith and hold the true beliefs and respect for God but get all the rites “wrong” than it is to follow every tiny nuance of ritual but not truly believe or respect God. Ideally religion asks for both- but if it is one or the other- the important one is living and thinking “right.”
a random aside/addition to something you said in that @guest_
idk about with islam stuff, but one common "pray, cleansing, etc" thing to use in cherokee stuff is smoke from certain woods being burned. Generally its even used in exactly the same way the water would be used in a similar thing but it "washing" your face or flicking it onto something or someone.
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It wouldn't let me post the two bits together so I had to make them two seperate comments :(
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2. Someone else holds it for you
3. You hold it and hope it doesn't fly away when you're praying
idk about with islam stuff, but one common "pray, cleansing, etc" thing to use in cherokee stuff is smoke from certain woods being burned. Generally its even used in exactly the same way the water would be used in a similar thing but it "washing" your face or flicking it onto something or someone.