Can I pray in a store fitting room?
Yes, if it is clean and you have no better place. A fitting room is a valid spot, since any clean place will do, but it is tiny and other customers may be waiting. A quiet corner or a stockroom, with the staff's permission, is often easier. Many prayers also have long time windows, so you may be able to wait until you leave.
Any clean place is valid
The Prophet ﷺ said the earth has been made a place for prayer, so anyone can pray wherever the time of a prayer comes (Sahih al-Bukhari 335). A changing room is not a toilet, and it is not a graveyard, so there is nothing in it that makes prayer invalid. A mirror in front of you does not affect the prayer either; just look down at the place of prostration. If you ever pray close to a toilet, see Can I pray in a room with a toilet?
Make it work in a tiny space
- Choose the biggest cubicle. Many shops have a larger accessible or family room.
- Check the floor. Look for pins and tags, and put your coat or scarf down as a mat.
- Find the qibla with your phone compass and stand so you can bow and prostrate without hitting the bench.
- Keep your bag with you and silence your phone.
- Choose a quiet time so you are not holding up a queue.
Better options
If you would rather not use a fitting room, ask a member of staff politely: "Is there a quiet corner where I could pray for five minutes?" Many are happy to help. Do not enter a staff-only area, such as a stockroom, without permission, because it is not yours to use. Other choices include a quiet mall corridor, your car, a nearby mosque or a prayer room. See Can I use a multi-faith prayer room? and Can I pray in public places in Europe or the USA?
Do you need to pray right now?
The Prophet ﷺ said that the dearest deed to Allah is to offer the prayers at their early stated times (Sahih al-Bukhari 527), so praying early is best. But the Quran also tells us that prayer is prescribed at appointed times, which have a window and not a single moment:
Check your prayer app. If you have an hour or more left, finish your shopping and pray somewhere comfortable. If the time is about to end, use the fitting room and don't worry.
- A clean fitting room is a valid place to pray.
- Pick the biggest cubicle and use a coat as a mat.
- Ask staff before using a stockroom or staff area.
- Check whether you can wait until you leave the shop.
People also ask
Can I pray in English if I don't know Arabic?
Not usually: the fixed words of prayer are in Arabic. If you can't recite yet, say the dhikr the Prophet taught a beginner, and learn it step by step.
Read the full answer →Can I pray in clothes that smell of cigarette smoke?
Yes. A smell alone does not make clothes impure, and cigarette smoke is not najis. Pray as you are, but freshen up out of consideration for others.
Read the full answer →Can I pray in a room with alcohol in it?
Yes, in most cases. Alcohol being kept or served in a room does not invalidate prayer if your spot is clean, but a quieter room is better.
Read the full answer →Can I pray in a room with a cross or statues?
Yes, your prayer is valid. It is better not to face a cross or statue directly, so pray on a different wall or in another room if you can.
Read the full answer →Can I pray in a car?
Yes, if there is no better place: park safely, face the qibla and pray seated. If you can step outside, pray beside the car. Never pray while driving.
Read the full answer →