The ruling on praying behind an imam who is unable to prostrate with his forehead
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Your Eminence, an imam prays standing, but he is unable to prostrate with his forehead. Should the followers prostrate, or should they do the same as he does?
This is an important question. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the imam: (If he prays standing, pray standing, and if he prays sitting, pray sitting) So, if he is unable to prostrate—I mean: the imam—should the followers be required not to prostrate?Answer: Some scholars hold that if the imam is unable to perform a pillar other than standing, it is not permissible for one who is able to perform it to follow him in prayer. That is, if this imam is unable to prostrate, it is not permissible for others who are able to prostrate to follow him; rather, they should look for another imam. Based on this opinion, does this question even arise? No, the question does not arise; because they are not praying with him in the first place. However, the correct view is that it is valid for a follower who is able to perform the pillar to follow one who is unable to perform it.So in this case, we say: If the imam prostrates, it is obligatory for him to prostrate close to the ground, to the extent that he does not harm himself, and the followers should prostrate on the ground, not following him in this.If someone were to say: What is the difference between standing and prostrating?We said: The Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) explained the difference. When he prayed with his Companions while sitting, and they were standing, he gestured to them to sit, then he explained the wisdom to them, saying: (Do not stand as the non-Arabs stand before their kings) Because if the imam is sitting and all the people behind him are standing, they would be as if they are standing over him. Standing over a person is prohibited, except if there is a benefit in it.
Therefore: We say: According to the stronger opinion: they should prostrate on the ground, while he prostrates as close to the ground as he is able to reach.
This is an important question. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said regarding the imam: (If he prays standing, pray standing, and if he prays sitting, pray sitting) So, if he is unable to prostrate—I mean: the imam—should the followers be required not to prostrate?Answer: Some scholars hold that if the imam is unable to perform a pillar other than standing, it is not permissible for one who is able to perform it to follow him in prayer. That is, if this imam is unable to prostrate, it is not permissible for others who are able to prostrate to follow him; rather, they should look for another imam. Based on this opinion, does this question even arise? No, the question does not arise; because they are not praying with him in the first place. However, the correct view is that it is valid for a follower who is able to perform the pillar to follow one who is unable to perform it.So in this case, we say: If the imam prostrates, it is obligatory for him to prostrate close to the ground, to the extent that he does not harm himself, and the followers should prostrate on the ground, not following him in this.If someone were to say: What is the difference between standing and prostrating?We said: The Messenger (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) explained the difference. When he prayed with his Companions while sitting, and they were standing, he gestured to them to sit, then he explained the wisdom to them, saying: (Do not stand as the non-Arabs stand before their kings) Because if the imam is sitting and all the people behind him are standing, they would be as if they are standing over him. Standing over a person is prohibited, except if there is a benefit in it.
Therefore: We say: According to the stronger opinion: they should prostrate on the ground, while he prostrates as close to the ground as he is able to reach.