Preparation for a Muslim Traveler

http://www.crescentrating.com/en/muslim-guides/travel-tips-etiquettes/item/1859-safeguard-salaath-prayers-while-traveling.html

http://www.crescentrating.com/en/airline-airport-blog/item/2988-8-tips-to-safeguard-your-salaath-while-travelling-by-air.html

http://www.myhalalkitchen.com/travel-eating-out/

Here are copy-pasted from the above.

12+1 Tips to Safeguard your Salaat while Traveling

Knowing the rules related to Salaath and Wudhu, and having a few things in the travel bag, will go a long way for a traveler to ensure that they do not miss Salaath while traveling.

Know the rules: There are number of concessions for travelers when it comes to Wudhu and Salaath. Knowing those rules will greatly ease the performance of Salaath on time while traveling. There are minor differences of opinion among the scholars on some of these rules; as such, it is best that you consult a trusted scholar to get a full understanding. The most important of the rules that a traveler needs to know are the following:

1. Conditions pertaining to shortening and combining of prayers. This is probably the most important knowledge to have as a traveler.

2. Rules regarding the requirement to face the Qiblah direction while on a moving train, plane, etc. This is very important, especially if you are traveling by plane and need to perform your Salaath while on board.

3. Rules regarding the performance of Qiyam (standing position), while "seated" for obligatory Salaath. Same Rules for non-obligatory prayers such as Witr.

4. Dispensations regarding Wudhu for travelers. Especially the conditions for Al Masah (wiping over leather socks/shoes) and how to perform it.

5. Rules of wiping over the Turban or Hijab during Wudhu.

6. Conditions that allow for praying with your shoes on.

7. Conditions for performing dry ablution (Tayammum) and how to perform it. Although the chances of one doing this is low, it is good to know.

Travel Kit: The following few things will not take much space in a travel bag, but will go a long way to ease the performance of Salaath outside of your home.

8. A travel prayer mat. Now you can get them in sizes that allow you to carry them inside your trouser pockets or handbags. Having one will come in very handy.

9. Prayer timetable. You can download a prayer time calculator on most mobile phones, smart phones, tablets and on notebooks/PCs. Downloading one of them in all your digital devices is a good idea.

10. Qiblah compass. You can either carry a physical compass or download a digital one (if your digital device has the functionality). However, the accuracy of both the digital and the physical compasses in closed environments, like hotel rooms, cannot be fully relied on. If you have internet access, then you can check the Qiblah direction and the prayer times using our tool through your notebook or tablet device. We will also make it available on mobile phones, Insha Allah, in the future.

11. Wear footwear which will allow you to perform Wudhu without much hassle.

12. For Prayer times and Qiblah direction for your flights, use our "Air Travel Prayer Times Calculator" and get a print out and/or email the prayer times and Qiblah dierctions before boarding the plane.

Balancing skills:

+1. Where there are no proper Wudhu facilities, you need to have some balancing skills to wash your legs! Practicing some gymnastic skills will help!

Knowing the above rules and having the minimum in your Salaath travel kit will make it easier to perform Salaath no matter where you are. As for the rules itself, since there are minor differences among scholars regarding the application of some of those rules, it is best to learn the rulings from a scholar that you prefer/trust/have access to. We will at some point in time try and cover the rulings, taking into account all the different opinions Insha Allah.

May Allah Tha'ala make it easier for us to perform our Salaath under all conditions! Share your thoughts on Salaath while traveling with us!

Also read our Guide to Salaath facilities in Hotels!

8 tips to safeguard your Salaath while travelling by Air

Performing Salaath while on an Aircraft is still not that easy, as most Airlines still do not provide adequate facilities to perform properly. The following tips will help you perform as best as possible Insha Allah:

1.  It is extremely important to ensure you know all the rules and dispensations pertaining to Wudhu and Salaath as a traveller. You can find here a list of areas that one should ensure they have the knowledge of.
2. Since it is not easy to perform Wudhu and Salaath on an Airplane, if there is a choice, it is better to choose flight timings which allow one to perform Salaath before or after arrival. You can check the Salaath timings for any flight here.
3. If you are on a long haul flight and need to transit through an Airport, if there is a choice, it is better to choose to transit through an Airport which has comfortable prayer and Wudhu facilities as well as Halal food. Here are brief overviews of Airport facilities and Airline facilities.
4. If after considering all of the above, your flight timing is such that you have to perform Salaath while on air, then it is about managing the four key element for Salaath efficiently; time, wudhu, space, and direction
5. Time: First thing is to know the correct prayer times for the flight. Now you can get the prayer time for any flight by using Crescentrating Air Travel prayer times calculator. It is available on our website now and Insha Allah will be available as a mobile application soon.
6. Wudhu: It is better to take Wudhu before boarding the plane. Especially if the next Salaath time comes soon after take-off. If you have to take Wudhu onboard, it is very important to make sure that proper care is taken in using the aircraft toilets, so as not to inconvenience other passengers or staff. Understanding the rules of “masah” (wiping over socks) will help ease the performance of Wudhu.
7. Space: Finding a place to pray is the next issue. If you are flying first or business class, finding a place to spread your prayer mat and pray properly is not generally an issue. However if you are on economy, due to space constraints, it a bit more challenging. In this case, the best is to approach the airline staff and see if they are OK for you to perform Salaath near the kitchen or the door area, assuming it is not a busy time near the kitchen. If for whatever reason this is not possible, then one can perform Salaath while seated. However, there are rules regarding the necessity to repeat such Salaath done under certain circumstances. Consult your scholar to know the exact ruling regarding this.
8. Qiblah direction: If you are able to find space to pray properly, then you can find the approximate Qiblah direction by looking at the flight path on Airline’s TV screen. Our Air Travel prayer times calculator also gives the Qiblah direction along the flight path. If you are praying seated, then facing the Qiblah direction will not be always possible. As mentioned before, if you pray seated, then you need to know the rules regarding repeating such Salaath from a scholar.

Most airlines unfortunately still do not allow some space for Salaath. We hope more and more airlines will start looking at how to make this space available. May Allah Tha'ala make it easier for us to perform our Salaath under all conditions! Share your thoughts on Salaath while traveling with us!