We work in an oilfield in the sea and live on board of a ship that does not sail but stands still in its place. We used to perform the Friday prayer until someone came and told us that it is not valid for us to do so. Thus, we stopped offering it. Please inform us of the Sharee'ah ruling on performing the Friday prayer in such a case. Is it obligatory for us to perform it or not?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

It is not valid to perform the Friday prayer on board a ship – even though it does not sail – because it is not a place of permanent residence. One of the conditions of the validity of the Friday prayer is that it should be performed in a large city, town, village or a place that is annexed to it. Since the obligation of performing the Friday prayer is relieved from those living on board of a ship, they have to offer the Thuhr prayer instead.

Allaah Knows best.