We see some elderly people beginning to recite al-Fatihah before they have fully straightened up while standing; what is the ruling on their prayer?
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The questioner : In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : We see some people who, when they stand up from the first rak'ah, begin reciting al-Fatihah before they have straightened up in a standing position, especially the elderly. Is their prayer valid, and is it permissible to recite part of al-Fatihah while not fully standing?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for a person to recite al-Fatihah while standing, because it is the dhikr of standing. If he begins it while rising, it does not suffice for him, because he is able to stand. 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 other than 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. There is no harm in his beginning to recite it as he rises.
His EminenceThe Shaykh : We see some people who, when they stand up from the first rak'ah, begin reciting al-Fatihah before they have straightened up in a standing position, especially the elderly. Is their prayer valid, and is it permissible to recite part of al-Fatihah while not fully standing?
The Shaykh : It is obligatory for a person to recite al-Fatihah while standing, because it is the dhikr of standing. If he begins it while rising, it does not suffice for him, because he is able to stand. 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 other than 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. There is no harm in his beginning to recite it as he rises.