Is the imam of a neighborhood an elderly man who prays sitting down and whose ailment is not expected to end?

Question : Now, if someone were to say: If the imam is an elderly man whose ailment is not expected to end, then it follows that the congregation will always have to pray sitting down. What do we say? Yes.

Answer : We say: We adhere to this necessary consequence, as long as it is a necessary consequence of the statement of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). For the statement of the Messenger is truth, and the necessary consequence of truth is truth. And if we pray sitting down while we are capable of standing in all our prayers, we are praying by the command of whom? By the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). So there is no harm upon us. Also, this cannot be applied universally; it is not as if everyone will pray all their prayers behind this imam. No, the prayer may be missed by some, and they will pray individually or with another congregation. They may pray in another mosque. They may be excused from attending the congregation and pray in their homes. So it is not a necessity. In any case, even if it were a necessity, that necessity is from the truth, and the necessary consequence of truth is truth.