Ruling on the sitting for rest for the one praying behind the imam
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Your Eminence! What is the ruling on the sitting for rest in prayer for the one praying behind the imam? Is he deviating from the imam?
The most correct opinion regarding the sitting for rest in prayer is that it is not an absolute recommended practice, nor is leaving it an absolute recommended practice. Whoever needs it due to old age, illness in his legs, or otherwise, he should sit to give himself rest. And whoever is not in that situation, he should stand up without sitting. This is indicated by the fact that Malik ibn al-Huwayrith, whose hadith is the primary evidence regarding the sitting for rest, mentioned that (the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to, when he intended to stand up after this sitting, rely on his hands). This indicates that standing up was heavy for him; otherwise, there would be no need to rely on the hands. So the most correct opinion regarding this is this, and it is the middle position.
And some scholars said: It is not an absolute recommended practice, neither for the one who is unable nor for the one who is strong.And some of them said: It is an absolute recommended practice, but the stronger position and the middle opinion is the one in which the evidence converges.
As for the one praying behind the imam, let him follow the imam. If the imam sits, let him sit, and if the imam does not sit, he should not sit. This is the best, and it is following the imam.And the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned: If the imam does not sit, it is better that you do not sit, even if you consider sitting to be a recommended practice.
The most correct opinion regarding the sitting for rest in prayer is that it is not an absolute recommended practice, nor is leaving it an absolute recommended practice. Whoever needs it due to old age, illness in his legs, or otherwise, he should sit to give himself rest. And whoever is not in that situation, he should stand up without sitting. This is indicated by the fact that Malik ibn al-Huwayrith, whose hadith is the primary evidence regarding the sitting for rest, mentioned that (the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to, when he intended to stand up after this sitting, rely on his hands). This indicates that standing up was heavy for him; otherwise, there would be no need to rely on the hands. So the most correct opinion regarding this is this, and it is the middle position.
And some scholars said: It is not an absolute recommended practice, neither for the one who is unable nor for the one who is strong.And some of them said: It is an absolute recommended practice, but the stronger position and the middle opinion is the one in which the evidence converges.
As for the one praying behind the imam, let him follow the imam. If the imam sits, let him sit, and if the imam does not sit, he should not sit. This is the best, and it is following the imam.And the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned: If the imam does not sit, it is better that you do not sit, even if you consider sitting to be a recommended practice.