Exploring the universe, establishing the truth and justice on earth and the whole world is an obligation to Muslims. God encourages Muslims to travel and learn from the vastness of his creation. Going to space can be considered as a response to this command.

In Islam, not only prayers and fast - all forms of good deeds done for the sake of God, are considered worship, this include traveling and going to space.

The Prophet was sent as 'blessing to the whole universe'. God said in his holy book, "We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and in their own souls, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth." (Quran, 41:53)

Performing the ritual obligations is not an issue at all, neither the fact that they have to encircle the earth 16 times a day. All these issues have been clearly spelt by the Muslim scholars, it is left to us to apply it. Islam is a religion of practicality and convenience.

Oteh Maskon, Kuala Lumpur,

Islam is not difficult as in the article.

As Akbar of Singapore has mentioned, Fast can be observed after. Prayers can be performed in any circumstances. If water is not available, dust or even touching the ground (in this case probably the floor) would be sufficient (to my knowledge).

It's true we are outdated not Islam. We need to seek knowledge and there is every thing there. Islam is not a difficult religion if you want to practice and at the same time it is very difficult if you don't want to.

There is more reward for perfoming the obligations during travel and prayers are answered.

Yunus Patel, Auckalnd, New Zealand

There is no obligation for a traveler to fast, but he is not absovled from praying. As for makkah facing the earth should be sufficient

---, dallas, tx,

It's nice that they are trying to adhere to Islamic principles even in this situation, but Muslims are not required to pray or fast while traveling. This is a well-known and long-established fact, so I don't see why this is even an issue.

Mustafa Mehr Aziz, Houston, Tx

There are flexibilities in Islam. Example, how does one pray when flying? How does one pray when he is all stringed up in hospital? Islam can be practised wherever you are. Muslim scholars had all these questions answered. The only problem is that Muslims don't seek knowledge and stick to the little they know and THAT to them, is the ultimate truth.

Same goes for fasting. There's no obligation for travellers to fast. What more if you're in space???

Islam is practical to the end of the world. Let us, one with little knowledge, not place Islam in such an inflexible position making it seem like an outdated religion. We're outdated, not Islam.

Akhbar, Singapore,

I don,t think prayer as well as fastiing can be a problem.
In Islamic Law/Shariah, there is a solution for every problem.
1-Facing Qiblah/direction of Makkah is not an obligation when a person is not sure for example in a desert having no compass, so is here, the Holy Qur'an says, "face east or west, where you face, there is the Direction of Allah".
2- Water for abolution is also not a problem as there is something called "dried abolution" or Tayammum, and this is already allowed in the case of not being able to perform eg. illness or other skin condtions.
3- The problem of Time keeping can also be solved as there is already provisions in Islamic Law for the countries where there is no sun set and sun rise, Northern countries like Oslo, Norway etc, so the solution is to keep a 24 Hrs culculation 12 hours night and 12 hrs day, praying 5 prayers in day time.
And Allah knows best.

Mustaqeem Shah, Glasgow, UK

It is sad to see Malaysia fall into the grasp of people with nothing better than write a guidebook about rituals in space. Maybe the Department of Islamic Development will develop a prayer mat for space use next.

An Qijie, Hong Kong,