Rules for Praying While Sitting: Rulings & Guidance

Praying While Sitting: Key Rulings and Guidelines in Islam

Allah Almighty has made religion easy, and for this reason, He does not burden His servants beyond their capacity. Allah says:
لا يكلف الله نفساً إلا وسعها (البقرة: 286)
Translation: Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.

And Allah’s command is:
فاتقوا الله ما استطعتم (التغابن: 16)
Translation: Fear Allah to the best of your ability.

And Allah says:
يريد الله بكم اليسر ولا يريد بكم العسر (البقرة: 185)
Translation: Allah desires ease for you, not hardship.

Human conditions are not always the same; changes in weather, circumstances, and illnesses or difficulties may affect a person’s ability to stand or sit. Since prayer is a physical act of worship, a person will pray according to their physical condition and capability. Imran bin Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that he suffered from hemorrhoids, and asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about praying in such a condition. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
صَلِّ قَائِمًا، فإنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا، فإنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبٍ (صحيح البخاري: 1117)
Translation: Pray standing, but if you cannot, then sitting, and if you cannot even sit, then lie on your side.

This Hadith teaches us that if someone is unable to stand for prayer, they should pray sitting, and if they are unable to sit, they should pray while lying on their side.

In this article, I will explain the way to pray while sitting and some related rulings. I will first discuss two key issues followed by a few rulings.

First Key Issue: Praying While Sitting on the Ground
The first question here is: when should a person pray while sitting on the ground? The answer, as per the aforementioned Hadith, is that when someone is unable to stand due to illness or incapacity, they should pray sitting on the ground. The second question is: how should one sit, perform bowing (ruku), and prostration (sujood) while sitting?

The method of praying while sitting on the ground is as follows: The person should sit in a cross-legged position on their buttocks with both thighs and shins together. This position will also be used during bowing and after bowing while standing because it aligns with the standing position. They should then prostrate on the ground and sit between the two prostrations as in the first sitting (qa’dah) position.

Second Key Issue: Praying While Sitting on a Chair
There are different ways of praying on a chair, depending on the person’s condition. Prayer includes three essential positions: standing (qiyam), bowing (ruku), and prostration (sujood). If a person is unable to stand but can perform ruku and sujood, they can sit on the chair while performing the ruku and sujood in their normal manner. If the person can stand but cannot perform ruku and sujood in the usual manner, they should stand for the qiyam and use the chair for the ruku and sujood. During ruku, they should lower their head slightly, and in sujood, they should lower their head more than in ruku. Further details on this can be found in detailed Islamic books.

Positioning the Chair in the Row
When a person begins prayer sitting on a chair, the chair should be placed in the row such that its back is level with the feet of the other worshipers, meaning the back of the chair should be even with the heels of the standing people. However, if the person is standing normally and only using the chair for ruku and sujood, the chair should be placed behind so they can stand in line with the other worshipers. Due to the challenge of aligning with the row, care should be taken to stand in a place where it does not inconvenience those behind.

Which is Better: Praying on the Ground or on a Chair?
A common question is whether it is better for a sick person to pray sitting on the ground or on a chair. From my knowledge, the issue is not about preference but about permissibility. If someone is unable to stand but can perform ruku and sujood in their proper form, then using a chair for ruku and sujood is not permissible. Similarly, if a person is unable to perform ruku and sujood in their proper form but can stand, using the chair for standing is not permissible. We know that praying on a chair is not the original form of prayer but is a concession due to incapacity, especially for sujood, in which seven body parts should touch the ground, a condition not fulfilled when using a chair. If a person prays on a chair but is capable of performing sujood on the ground and prays using gestures, this action is not permissible.

What Should the Follower Do If the Imam Prays Sitting?
It is preferable that a sick person does not lead the prayer to avoid causing inconvenience to both themselves and the followers, but their leadership in prayer is still valid. When the Imam prays sitting due to an excuse, the followers should also pray sitting, as they are commanded to follow the Imam. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
وإذا صلى قاعدًا فصلوا قعودًا أجمعون (صحيح مسلم: 411)
Translation: And if the Imam prays sitting, you should all pray sitting.

Some scholars argue that the followers should stand, but the stronger position is to pray sitting, as indicated by the Hadith. However, if a follower prays standing while the Imam is sitting, their prayer is still valid.

Praying Nafil While Sitting Despite Having the Ability to Stand
One who has the ability to stand cannot pray the obligatory prayer sitting, and if they do so, their prayer will be invalid. However, it is permissible to pray optional (nafl) prayers while sitting, and in this case, they will receive half the reward compared to standing. As narrated by Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him):
خرج فرأى أُناسًا يصلُّونَ قعودًا فقال صلاةُ القاعدِ علَى النِّصفِ من صلاةِ القائمِ (صحيح ابن ماجه: 1022)
Translation: The Prophet (peace be upon him) saw people praying sitting and said that the prayer of one sitting is half the reward of the one standing.

Therefore, it is better to perform voluntary prayers standing to receive the full reward.

What About a Sick Person Who Prays Sitting for the Fard Prayer?
If a sick person prays sitting, they will receive the full reward for the obligatory prayer, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إذا مرضَ العبدُ ، أو سافرَكُتِبَ له مثلُ ما كان يعملُ مُقيمًا صحيحًا (صحيح البخاري: 2996)
Translation: When a servant falls ill or travels, they will receive the reward of all the worship they used to do when they were healthy or at home.

Two Questions Related to Prostration
First Question: Nowadays, in mosques, there are chairs for the sick to pray in, and there is a board in front of them for prostration. What is the ruling on this practice?
Answer: Sheikh Saleh Fawzan has declared it impermissible to prostrate on such a chair with a board in front. His reasoning is based on the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) once saw a sick person prostrating on a cushion and rejected it. Therefore, those praying on a chair should prostrate directly on the ground if they are able; if they are not, they should bow more in the ruku than in the sujood.

Second Question: Is it permissible to pray on a soft, elevated mat or cushion?
Answer: It is permissible to pray on a mat, carpet, or a light cushion to protect from heat, cold, or dust. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray on a palm fiber mat, and the companions would prostrate on their garments due to the intense heat. Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
كان النبيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يُصَلِّي على الخُمْرَةِ (صحيح البخاري: 381)
Translation: The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to pray on a palm mat.

Important Caution:
Today, many mosques place chairs for the sick, but people often pray on them without understanding the rules, using them even in minor discomfort. Imams should educate people on the correct way of praying on a chair and ensure that it does not cause inconvenience to others. They should designate appropriate chairs and spaces to maintain the order of the prayer.