Question:

My mother is having problem sitting down. So thats why she prays her salat while sitting on a chair. So while she is praying like this, does she have to stand up for Qayam or she can do it while sitting? and also what are the ruling for Sujood?

Further information:
She cannot sit on the ground due to her weight problem. As, if she sits she cannot get up. So She prays while sitting on a chair & does Sujood while sitting but she raises her hands in the air showing that its sujood but in rukooh she doesn't do this.

Further information:
She cannot sit on the ground. She can only sit on a chair. That's why she prays while sitting on a chair. As she cannot sit on the ground, she cannot do Sajda on the ground. She does sajda while posing in a sitting position in salat.

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

If your mother is unable to offer her salat sitting on the floor and she is unable to do sujood on the floor then she should offer her salat in the following manner:

  • She should offer her entire salat sitting on a chair. Qiyaam (standing) is not compulsory on her, as qiyaam is not compulsory on a person who cannot do sujood (i.e. on the floor in the normal manner).

  • For ruku’ and sujood, she will lower her head. It is compulsory that she lowers her head in sujood more than in ruku’. Even if she lowers her head slightly more in sujood than in ruku’, her salat will be valid. She does not have to lower her head as much as she possibly can. However, if her sujood is not even slightly lower than her ruku’, her salat will not be valid.

You mentioned that she raises her hand in sujood to indicate that it is sujood. She should not do this.

If she wants, she can perform the entire salat standing up. In this case also, she will do ruku’ and sujood by lowering her head (while she is standing) in the manner described above. However, it is better (and probably easier for her) that she offers the entire salat sitting on a chair.

(Imdaad al-Fattah: 449; Shaami: 2/97,98, Saeed)

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Faizal Riza
16/4/2012
Darul Ifta Australia
www.fatwa.org.au
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