Is it permissible for anyone to pray the voluntary prayer sitting down without being ill?

The questioner : Our Shaykh Abu Suhayb is asking, saying: Is it permissible for him to pray sitting down without any illness or fatigue or difficulty in the voluntary prayer?

The Shaykh : Tell Abu Suhayb that we are Salafis and we do not accept intermediaries.

The questioner : Huh? Is it permissible for me to pray the voluntary prayer sitting down in a place without any difficulty or illness?

The Shaykh : If you mean what you are saying, the answer is that it is permissible.

The questioner : ... .

The Shaykh : I don't know, huh? Every question has an answer. If you mean what you are saying, the answer is that it is permissible, but perhaps you mean the opposite of what you are saying. Allah knows best.

The questioner : I did not think anything other than that I mean what I am saying.

The Shaykh : Well, this is your assumption, similar in meaning to what is mentioned in the Qur'an... This is the doubt. Is your assumption like what Allah the Exalted said regarding the one who is given his book in his right hand? Is your assumption of this type?
The student : ... Huh?

The Shaykh : ... its spiritual aspects.
The student : This is certainty.
Another student: I am certain that the answer is yes.

The Shaykh : I did not ask about the answer; I asked about the question. You said, "I think that I mean what I am saying." You are the one who said that.

The questioner : A certain assumption.

The Shaykh : Ha, this is the answer now.
The student : My Shaykh, you are testing him while he is in a state of confusion.

The Shaykh : Ah, well, my concern is always to be cautious for fear of falling into error and mistake. Perhaps you mean, for example, like some people, if they pray the voluntary prayer standing or sitting, perhaps you mean this meaning.
The student : Some of them.

The Shaykh: Yes.
The student : Some of them.

The Shaykh : What do you mean by "some"? I did not say "some." I did not say "some."
The student : Some of them.

The Shaykh : You mean some of them.
The student : Like some of them.

The Shaykh : I am repeating the question so that I correct my expression. Perhaps you mean to say: Is the prayer standing or sitting like some of them, not some of them, like some of them?
The student : In the voluntary.

The Shaykh : The issue is about the voluntary prayer.
The student: Yes.

The Shaykh : Perhaps you mean this?
The student : It is possible, yes.

The Shaykh : Look how it changes.
The student : It is possible that it is not the assumption.
Another student: This is not confirmation.

The Shaykh : And so, I am a hunter. When I told you "perhaps you mean," we need to explain it to... huh?
The student : My Shaykh, from the first round, it is not coming out.
Another student: I don't know how to double up, O Shaykh, like Abu Ayyub.

The Shaykh : Yes, sit properly. So, your previous question, perhaps you mean this that I mentioned to you?
The student : No, I mean whether...

The Shaykh : No, do not repeat "perhaps you mean." Say yes or no. Leave yourself alone, meaning, without falling into a trap. Allah is rich beyond needing it.
The student : No, I mean.

The Shaykh : Praise be to Allah. Well, if a questioner asked you: Is there a difference in the voluntary prayer between the one who prays standing and the one who prays sitting? What would you tell him? This issue requires thought, not just "how is the place?" Like this, I want you to do this, and also, you are messing with your beard to gather your thoughts, huh? Do not mess with yourself, O Abu 'Umar.
The student : ... .

The Shaykh : May Allah reward you with good. So, what is your answer?
The student : If he asked me whether the voluntary prayer is standing or sitting...

The Shaykh : Yes, what would your answer be?
The student : ... I would say no.

The Shaykh : Huh? If he said that to you and you accepted it, you would be silent.
The student : I do not accept it because...

The Shaykh : I did not tell you to accept or not accept. I am saying if you accepted.
The student : Shaykh, I must answer based on thought.

The Shaykh : Yes, think. And so, I am with the expectants.
The student : So, how did he measure it?
Another student: I say no.

The Shaykh : No, that is a negation. What is the affirmation?
The student : ... .

The Shaykh : You mean that the one who prays standing is not like the one who prays sitting. That is the meaning of your words.
The student : I want to know from which aspect, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : In terms of virtue, like some of them, I am telling you.
The student : ... in terms of virtue.

The Shaykh: Yes.
The student : The virtue of the prayer.

The Shaykh : In terms of the virtue of the voluntary prayer, is there a difference between standing and sitting, or is it like some of them?
The student : I do not know.

The Shaykh : Well, why did you not ask about this?
The student : ... so that I can learn.

The Shaykh : The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: So, what is your cleverness? You want half a prayer, you pray sitting. You want a full prayer, you pray standing. Then, "Subhanak Allah wa bihamdika, ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah," yes.
The student : Only in the voluntary prayer.

The Shaykh: Yes.