Is it permissible for a person of legal age who is able to stand to perform voluntary prayers while sitting? I have seen many of our Pakistani brothers performing the regular voluntary prayers while sitting.
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The questioner : Is it permissible for a person of legal age who is able to stand to perform voluntary prayers while sitting? I have seen many of our Pakistani brothers performing the regular voluntary prayers while sitting, and they are able to stand, both young and old. On one occasion, I asked one of them about his voluntary prayer while sitting, and I understood from him that it is permissible for a person of legal age to perform the recommended practices while sitting, provided he is able to stand, and that his reward is the same as that of one who performs them while standing, according to the school of Imam Abu Hanifah. Is their statement correct? Is this established in their school? We ask for your guidance, may Allah guide you.
The Shaykh : If a person believes that his prayer while sitting is better than his prayer while standing in voluntary prayer, or equal to it, this is an error, because it contradicts what is established by the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the prayer of the one sitting is half the reward of the prayer of the one standing. However, if they do so by taking advantage of the dispensation, while believing that their reward is less and that it is half, then there is no blame on them. This is because standing in voluntary prayer is not a pillar, but rather a recommended practice and an excellence. However, the question remains: if they do this in the regular voluntary prayers, do they receive the reward of the regular voluntary prayers? The answer is no, they do not receive the reward of the regular voluntary prayers, but rather they receive half the reward of the regular voluntary prayers if they are not excused. As for whether this is the established position in their school, I have no knowledge of that.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In any case, even if it is established in the school, it contradicts the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), so it is not acceptable, even if those who established it among the people did so.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : His second question.
The Shaykh : If a person believes that his prayer while sitting is better than his prayer while standing in voluntary prayer, or equal to it, this is an error, because it contradicts what is established by the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the prayer of the one sitting is half the reward of the prayer of the one standing. However, if they do so by taking advantage of the dispensation, while believing that their reward is less and that it is half, then there is no blame on them. This is because standing in voluntary prayer is not a pillar, but rather a recommended practice and an excellence. However, the question remains: if they do this in the regular voluntary prayers, do they receive the reward of the regular voluntary prayers? The answer is no, they do not receive the reward of the regular voluntary prayers, but rather they receive half the reward of the regular voluntary prayers if they are not excused. As for whether this is the established position in their school, I have no knowledge of that.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : In any case, even if it is established in the school, it contradicts the hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), so it is not acceptable, even if those who established it among the people did so.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : His second question.