Firstly: The default principle for obligatory acts, including prayer, is that they must be performed with all their pillars in the manner the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed them, as he said: “Pray as you have seen me pray,” and “Take your rituals from me.”

Prayer has essential pillars. It is invalid without them, including standing for the obligatory prayer if able, bowing in a specific manner if able, and prostrating in a specific manner if able. If any of these are not performed correctly, the obligatory prayer is invalid.

Secondly: The evidence for prayer excuses comes from the ḥadīth of ῾Imrān ibn Ḥuṣayn (may Allāh be pleased with him), who said: “I had hemorrhoids, so I asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the prayer. He said: ‘Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you cannot, then on your side.'” Additionally, the ḥadīth of ᾽Anas (may Allāh be pleased with him) in Al-Bukhārī and Muslim narrates: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) fell from a horse and was injured on his right side, so we visited him. When the prayer time came, he prayed sitting, and we prayed behind him sitting.

Thirdly: Scholars have differed on whether an excuse for one pillar extends to the other pillars or is limited to that specific pillar. The majority opinion is that the excuse applies only to the specific pillar. For example, if one cannot stand but can bow and prostrate, he is excused from standing but must perform bowing and prostrating correctly. This is the view of the Shāfi῾īs and Ḥanbalīs.

The Ḥanafīs, however, hold that the excuse for standing also excuses the manner of bowing and prostrating, similar to a voluntary prayer. The leniency in bowing and prostrating is less than that for standing, as stated in the verse: “And stand before Allāh devoutly obedient.” [Al-Baqarah: 238].

Therefore, if one sits for the standing position, it is permissible for him to complete his prayer with the excuse for bowing and prostrating, transitioning to gestures without leaving his chair for them.

We choose the opinion of the Ḥanafīs due to its ease and alignment with the principles of Sharī῾ah, including removing hardship and making worship easy, especially for prayer which is frequently performed throughout the day and night. Thus, if one takes the concession (rukhṣah) for standing, he may also take the concession for bowing and prostrating by using gestures without getting off his chair.

Fatwā issued by Dr. Khālid Naṣr