An elderly woman with many illnesses prays while sitting; is her prayer valid in this case?
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The questioner : She mentions that she is elderly and has many illnesses, and that she prays while sitting. She asks: Is my prayer valid in a case like this?
The Shaykh : Yes, the prayer of one who is unable to stand is valid, even if this state persists for years, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:[At-Taghabun 64:16] and the saying of Allah the Exalted: [Al-Baqarah 2:286] and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to 'Imran ibn Husayn: Sunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani) So if this woman is unable to pray standing and prays sitting, there is no blame on her and her prayer is accepted. And if it is her habit to pray standing when she is healthy and able, but she leaves that off when she is unable, it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that so her reward is recorded for her as it was when she was healthy and resident.
The questioner : The listener also says.
The Shaykh : Yes, the prayer of one who is unable to stand is valid, even if this state persists for years, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْAllah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلَّا وُسْعَهَاoffer prayer in standing condition; if you are unable to do so, then in sitting condition: if you are then at your side
صل قائماً، فإن لم تستطع فقاعداً، فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبWhoever falls ill or travels, what he used to do while healthy and resident is recorded for him.
من مرض أو سافر كُتِب له ما كان يعمل صحيحاً مقيماًThe questioner : The listener also says.