If one is unable to prostrate, should he place his hands on the ground?
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question : Yes, if we assume that he is unable to prostrate at all, meaning his back is completely unable to do so,
Answer : in that case, we do not say that you are required to place your hands on the ground. For example, if we assume that he can only do this, like this, and cannot do more than that. In this case, we do not say that you are required to place your hands on the ground, because there is no benefit in doing so; rather, this may resemble squatting. However, if he is able to approach the ground so that he is in the posture of one who is prostrating, then it is obligatory for him to do what? He must prostrate. He must prostrate and bring his forehead as close to the ground as he is able.
Answer : in that case, we do not say that you are required to place your hands on the ground. For example, if we assume that he can only do this, like this, and cannot do more than that. In this case, we do not say that you are required to place your hands on the ground, because there is no benefit in doing so; rather, this may resemble squatting. However, if he is able to approach the ground so that he is in the posture of one who is prostrating, then it is obligatory for him to do what? He must prostrate. He must prostrate and bring his forehead as close to the ground as he is able.
Source
قناة «فضيلة الشيخ محمد بن صالح العثيمين»، 3720من لا يستطيع السجود هل يضع يديه على الأرض؟📔 الشرح الممتع على زاد المستقنع - ابن عثيمين — youtube.com
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.
