What is the ruling on the sitting for rest in prayer for the follower, and is it considered a deviation from the imam?
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The questioner : O Shaykh, may Allah reward you. What is the ruling for the follower behind the imam regarding the sitting for rest in prayer? Is he considered to be deviating from the imam?
The Shaykh : Yes, the most correct opinion regarding the sitting for rest in prayer is that it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) absolutely, and leaving it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) absolutely.
Whoever needs it due to old age or illness in his legs or otherwise, he should sit to give himself rest. And whoever is not in that condition, he should stand up without sitting.
And this is indicated by the fact that Malik ibn al-Huwayrith, whose hadith is the primary evidence for the sitting for rest, mentioned This indicates that standing was heavy for him; otherwise, there would be no need to rely on his hands. So the most correct opinion regarding it is this middle position.
And some scholars said: It is not an absolute recommended practice (sunnah), neither for the weak nor for the strong. And some said: It is an absolute recommended practice (sunnah). But the stronger position is the middle one, which is the one where the evidence converges. As for the follower, let him follow the imam. If the imam sits, let him sit. And if he does not sit, he should not sit. This is the best and the most following of the imam. And the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that if the imam does not sit, it is better not to sit, even if you think that sitting is a recommended practice (sunnah) after him.
The Shaykh : Yes, the most correct opinion regarding the sitting for rest in prayer is that it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) absolutely, and leaving it is not a recommended practice (sunnah) absolutely.
Whoever needs it due to old age or illness in his legs or otherwise, he should sit to give himself rest. And whoever is not in that condition, he should stand up without sitting.
And this is indicated by the fact that Malik ibn al-Huwayrith, whose hadith is the primary evidence for the sitting for rest, mentioned
That the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) used to rely on his hands when he intended to stand up after this sitting.
أن الرسول صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم كان إذا أراد أن يقوم بعد هذه الجلسة اعتمد على يديهAnd some scholars said: It is not an absolute recommended practice (sunnah), neither for the weak nor for the strong. And some said: It is an absolute recommended practice (sunnah). But the stronger position is the middle one, which is the one where the evidence converges. As for the follower, let him follow the imam. If the imam sits, let him sit. And if he does not sit, he should not sit. This is the best and the most following of the imam. And the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned that if the imam does not sit, it is better not to sit, even if you think that sitting is a recommended practice (sunnah) after him.