Performing Salaah Seated On A Chair Instead Of The Floor
Question
A man is unable to stand for a few seconds, either unaided or by leaning against a wall. He experiences severe pain, or there is a risk of his illness increasing by doing so. He is able to perform fardh Salah sitting on the floor, yet he chooses to perform Salah sitting on a chair, is his Salah valid, and if it is valid, is there any reprehensibility in this particular scenario?
Answer
If he is able to perform Sajdah by placing his head on the ground, then his Salaah offered on a chair in this case will be invalid. He will only be permitted to perform his Salaah on a chair by signs if he is unable to perform Sajdah by placing his head on the ground. Even if he is only able to place his nose on the ground and not his forehead, then too, he will be required to do this and will not be allowed to sit on a chair.
References (Arabic / Urdu sources)
البحر الرائق (المكتبة الماجدية) ج٢ ص١١٢
رد المحتار على الدر المختار (سعيد) ج٢ ص ٩٧
البحر الرائق (المكتبة الماجدية) ج٢ ص ١١٣
- Approved by
- Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B.
Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.
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Source: Darul Ifta, Darul Uloom Azaadville — https://www.iftadua.co.za/performing-salaah-seated-on-a-chair-instead-of-the-floor/19123/
Fatawa SA: https://fatawa.co.za/fatwa/azaadville-19123
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