FatwaFederal TerritoriesPrayer (Salah)
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-892: BAGAIMANAKAH SOLAT SUNAT AIDILFITRI DI TENGAH LAUTAN LUAS?
How should seafarers in the middle of the ocean celebrate Eid al-Fitr and perform the Eid prayer?
Short answer
Muslims working at sea may celebrate Eid al-Fitr and perform the acts of worship prescribed for it, provided they are certain that the first of Syawal has begun.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Prayer (Salah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
Muslims working at sea may celebrate Eid al-Fitr and perform the acts of worship prescribed for it, provided they are certain that the first of Syawal has begun. The first of Syawal is determined by sighting the new moon, without waiting for the sighting result of the nearest state. If the sailors lack the skill to observe the crescent, they may follow the sighting decision of a state near their route. Once certain, the Eid sunnah acts such as the ritual bath, takbir, reviving the Eid night and the Eid prayer are permissible and encouraged aboard the ship.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Harus bagi umat Islam yang terlibat dengan kerja-kerja pelayaran di tengah laut menyambut hari raya aidilfitri dan mengerjakan ibadat-ibadat yang dituntut dengan syarat telah yakin masuk satu Syawal.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE-892: BAGAIMANAKAH SOLAT SUNAT AIDILFITRI DI TENGAH LAUTAN LUAS?”, 28 March 2025. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/6203-irsyad-hukum-edisi-khas-ramadan-siri-ke-286-bagaimanakah-solat-sunat-aidilfitri-di-tengah-lautan-luas. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/eid-al-fitr-prayer-at-sea/