Is it permissible to omit prostration in prayer due to an injury on the face and the possibility of blood flowing from it during prostration?
Prostration (sujud) is one of the pillars of prayer (salat) and is not waived except in cases of necessity or excuse. Therefore, if there are wounds on the face that cause pain or bleeding during prostration, the obligation of prostration is waived at that time, and bowing (ima'a) is sufficient, to the extent that it does not harm the worshipper.
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen said: "If the worshipper is unable to prostrate, he should bow (ima'a) for it, making the prostration lower than the bowing." This applies if the illness is in his eye, or in his head, or similar conditions, such that whenever he lowers his head, the pain intensifies or he becomes agitated, in which case he should bow (ima'a) for the prostration.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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