The ruling on reciting al-Fatihah before straightening up in standing when rising to the next rak'ah
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His Eminence the Shaykh: We see some people who, when praying, begin reciting al-Fatihah before they have fully straightened up in standing when they rise from the first rak'ah, especially the elderly. Is their prayer valid, given that they recited part of al-Fatihah while not fully standing?
It is obligatory for a person to recite al-Fatihah while standing; because it is a remembrance of standing. If he begins it while rising, it does not suffice for him; because he is able to stand. And if he is able to stand, it is obligatory that he recite al-Fatihah while standing. However, if he is elderly and cannot do anything but this, and he fears that if he delays beginning it until he is fully standing, he will miss the rak'ah with the imam, then he is excused in this case. So there is no harm in his beginning it as he rises.
It is obligatory for a person to recite al-Fatihah while standing; because it is a remembrance of standing. If he begins it while rising, it does not suffice for him; because he is able to stand. And if he is able to stand, it is obligatory that he recite al-Fatihah while standing. However, if he is elderly and cannot do anything but this, and he fears that if he delays beginning it until he is fully standing, he will miss the rak'ah with the imam, then he is excused in this case. So there is no harm in his beginning it as he rises.