Most-asked question

Can I pray salaah on a chair?

161 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 5 South African Darul Iftas (Mufti Online, Ask Imaam, Ibn Masood, Azaadville, Jamiat KZN). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“A person is allowed to perform Salaah seated on a chair when they have a physical condition that prevents them from performing Sajdah on the ground. A person who finds difficulty in standing and performing Salaah is not automatically permitted to sit on a chair for Salaah.”

Jamiat KZN — When is Salaah on a Chair Permitted? · 8 Apr 2026

“It is not permissible for one to perform the fardh, waajib and two rakaats sunnah muakkadah of fajr sitting on the ground without a valid excuse. As far as other salaah are concerned e.g.”

Mufti Online — Performing salaah sitting on the ground or on a chair · 9 Nov 2024

“Salaah behind an Imaam who is sitting on a chair and performing Ruku and Sajdah by indication (whilst the Muqtadis are able to perform all the postures of Salaah correctly) is invalid as the Imaam is in a lower position than the Muqtadis.”

Azaadville — An Imaam Leading Salaah Whilst Seated On A Chair · 14 Sep 2023

“If you cannot stand and read Salaah, then the next option is to read Salaah while sitting on the ground and perform Ruku and Sajdah as per normal.”

Ibn Masood — Salaah On A Chair Due To Pain · 12 Apr 2026

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Salaah On A Chair Due To PainIbn Masood · 12 Apr 2026
  2. When is Salaah on a Chair Permitted?Jamiat KZN · 8 Apr 2026
  3. Performing salaah on a plane while sittingMufti Online · 6 Jan 2026
  4. Performing Salaah in the sitting posture - What are the conditions?Ask Imaam · 27 Jan 2025
  5. Tahaarat Of A Person Using An Ostomy (Urine/Stool) BagAzaadville · 17 Oct 2024
  6. Sitting Posture Of Females In SalaahIbn Masood · 9 Mar 2026
  7. How should a person perform Ruku’ and Sajdah whilst sitting and performing Salaah?Jamiat KZN · 18 Nov 2021
  8. Folding one's hands in the last rakaat of the sunnats of fajr while sitting and performing salaahMufti Online · 19 May 2025
  9. Sitting posture (Qa'dah) for Women in SalaahAsk Imaam · 7 Jun 2021
  10. Placement Of The Legs Of A Chair In A SaffAzaadville · 11 Dec 2023
  11. Salaah While Seated On A Chair-Follow UpIbn Masood · 4 Oct 2025
  12. Leading Taraweeh Salaah on a chairJamiat KZN · 4 May 2020
  13. Performing Tawaaf-e-Ziyaarah in a wheelchair without an excuseMufti Online · 15 Feb 2025
  14. Performing salaah sitting on the ground or on a chairMufti Online · 9 Nov 2024
  15. An Imaam Leading Salaah Whilst Seated On A ChairAzaadville · 14 Sep 2023

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