Published ISS* Guidelines for Muslim

*ISS = International Space Station

I did posted about this months before, and today I've been alerted by the Star that the guidelines have been published. So straightaway I downloaded it from JAKIM web.
You can download the docs here (Malay) and here (English translation), and also a fancy looking version here.

Although, I applaud such effort, which is able to tell the world that its not a problem for Muslim to be in space, but I couldn't accept the way they put up the guideline.

First of all, it doesnt have the authors' name in it (even the fancy version), I think having a name or two or more does matter, to whom the readers are supposed to refer to in case they need further explanation.

Second, lacking of source. Islam is a religion that uphold its references such as The Quran and the authentic Hadith, thus it is important to elaborate how they had come up with such guide, or the sources of scholars book they refer to.

Third, I dont like the way the write it. It doesn't in line with the standard as the guideline for ISS and doesn't reflect the way Islamic books on ruling supposed to be written.

For examples:

1) Cleaning the no.1 & no.2 section

Istinja’ (washing-up)

Istinja’ means cleaning of the private parts after relieving onself. Istinja’ is by using wipes/tissues which are available at the ISS.

Rules of making istinja’:

1. Using pure, not sacred material
2. Using a solid material
3. Using a dry, non-slippery material
4. Using not less than 3 pieces wipes/tissues
5. Before the najas (filth) dries
6. Before the najas (filth) spreads

I did stumble on this before, its just a normal way of performing istinjak, even on earth we can do the same. Why on earth they have to put such rules, for example rules no1 until 3. Since we all know that they will use the tissue provided in the ISS, why cant we just eliminate these 3 rules, since we all know that the tissue is hygenic, solid and dry?
The way they put it, looks like its just a copy paste work.

2) Eat

4.1 Food

If there is doubt on whether the food served on ISS it is halal or not, it is then permissible to eat the food on the basis of not to starve.

Why the 'if' is still necessary, I think it is possible to check what are the foods that will be prepared for the ISS. And why we still need to put the clause that if it is non halal, it is only permissible to eat to avoid starving. Taking into account how highly scientific ISS station is, I'm sure that they all had calculated the food intake that will provide enough nutrition to each individual on the station. Thus there will be no problem about eating non halal food excessively, the intake is just enough for survival, and isn't that make the non halal now permissible?

3. Pray

3.5 Praying

ii The performance of the physical postures (such as standing, bowing and prostrating) is to suit the conditions in ISS,prioritizing as follows:

1. If upright standing is not possible, then any standing posture,
2. Sitting. Bowing is by bringing down the chin closer to the knee or the prostrating place,
3. Lying down on the right side with body facing the direction of Qibla,
4. Lying flat
5. Using the eye lid as an indicator of the changing of postures in prayer,
6. Imagining the sequence of prayer.

The guideline for Praying, is also a copy paste from the existed rules on how to Pray when the normal ways is not possible. Why on earth, they cant just be exact on how to do it on ISS, taking into account the ISS situation?

I have to admit that my knowledge on Islamic rulings is not in depth, but I can't just zip out my mouth, knowing that such guideline that will be distributed worldwide and carry the Islamic image is not done on par with Islamic analytical sense on rulings. Wallahu'alam.