at times, and at other times in its middle.
While travelling, he would offer voluntary prayers by night and day on his mount, facing whichever direction it took him. He would bow and prostrate by gesturing, lowering himself further for prostration than for bowing (1).
Ahmad and Abū Dāwūd (2) narrated that Anas ibn Mālik said: “When the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, wished to offer a voluntary prayer on his mount, he would face the qiblah and pronounce the opening takbīr, then let his mount proceed and pray facing whichever direction it took him.”
Two differing opinions are reported from Ahmad concerning whether a person must do this when able. If he can turn to face the qiblah throughout his prayer—for example, when seated in a riding litter, a covered double litter (3), or something similar—must he do so, or may he pray facing whichever direction his mount takes him? Muhammad ibn al-Hakam reported that Ahmad said: “The prayer of someone praying in a riding litter is valid only if he faces the qiblah, because he can turn around, whereas someone riding directly on a mount or another riding animal cannot.” Abū Tālib reported that he said: “Turning around in a riding litter