If one is unable to stand in prayer, must he distinguish between his bowing and prostration?
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Q: The sister who used the name Umm 'Abd al-Salam from al-Qasab says in her question: Is it obligatory for a person who prays on a chair due to his inability to stand to make a difference between his bowing and prostration in terms of the position of the hands and the bending of the back, or is the matter in this regard broad? Please guide us, may Allah reward you with good.
A: It is obligatory for one who prays sitting on the ground, or on a chair, to make his prostration lower than his bowing. It is recommended for him to place his hands on his knees during bowing. As for prostration, it is obligatory for him to place them on the ground if he is able. If he is not able, he places them on his knees, based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:Bulugh al-Maram 2:183.
And if one is unable to do that and prays on a chair, there is no blame on him, due to the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He): [al-Taghabun: 16] and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih al-Bukhari 7288, which is agreed upon as authentic.
A: It is obligatory for one who prays sitting on the ground, or on a chair, to make his prostration lower than his bowing. It is recommended for him to place his hands on his knees during bowing. As for prostration, it is obligatory for him to place them on the ground if he is able. If he is not able, he places them on his knees, based on what is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said:
I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones; on the forehead - and he pointed at his nose, the hands (the palms), the knees and the tips (toes) of the feet.
أمرت أن أسجد على سبعة أعظم الجبهة وأشار إلى أنفه واليدين والركبتين وأطراف القدمينAnd if one is unable to do that and prays on a chair, there is no blame on him, due to the saying of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He):
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْAnd if I order you to do something, then do of it as much as you can.
إذا أمرتكم بأمر فأتوا منه ما استطعتم
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.