Question:
Can one pray sitting in a vehicle if home or mosque is 30–45 minutes away?
Answer:
First principle is that Fard (obligatory) prayer requires:
- Standing
- Ruku’
- Sujud
These cannot properly be done seated in a car.
The Prophetﷺ prayed voluntary (nafl) prayers on his riding animal in whatever direction it was moving. He prayed Witr on the mount. But for obligatory prayers, he dismounted.
So: Voluntary prayers → allowed in vehicle.
Obligatory prayers → must dismount if possible.
Exception:
If traveling in a bus not under your control, and prayer time will expire before arrival — then you may pray seated due to necessity.
Otherwise, Stop the vehicle, get down, pray properly.