The Prayer of the Elderly and the Sick Person Who Is Unable to Stand
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Fatwa No. ( 7172 )
Q: I pray one or two rak'ahs of the obligatory prayer while standing, and I am standing, and I complete the rest while sitting. Is this permissible for me or not, given that I am 65 years old? Please inform us of what is best.
A: If you are unable to complete your prayer standing, or if completing it standing causes you great hardship, then there is no harm in completing it while sitting, and your prayer is valid. However, if you are able to complete your prayer standing without severe hardship, but you complete it sitting out of negligence and a desire for comfort, then your prayer is invalid. This is based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said to 'Imran ibn al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him), who was ill:Sunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani) It was narrated by Ahmad , al-Bukhari , and the compilers of the Sunan. Al-Nasa'i added with a sound chain: And if he prays lying down, he should point his feet toward the qiblah. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I pray one or two rak'ahs of the obligatory prayer while standing, and I am standing, and I complete the rest while sitting. Is this permissible for me or not, given that I am 65 years old? Please inform us of what is best.
A: If you are unable to complete your prayer standing, or if completing it standing causes you great hardship, then there is no harm in completing it while sitting, and your prayer is valid. However, if you are able to complete your prayer standing without severe hardship, but you complete it sitting out of negligence and a desire for comfort, then your prayer is invalid. This is based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said to 'Imran ibn al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him), who was ill:
offer prayer in standing condition; if you are unable to do so, then in sitting condition: if you are then at your side
صل قائمًا، فإن لم تستطع فقاعدًا، فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبIf you cannot do so, then lying on your side
فإن لم تستطع فمستلقيًا
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.