Is it permissible for the imam to pray to the right of a sick person who is unable to move?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
It is recommended for a single congregant to stand to the right of the Imam, based on the hadith of Ibn Abbas. This is a sunnah that is well-established and agreed upon. However, if the congregant is ill and unable to move, the Imam should stand to the left of the congregant, following the action of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, with Abu Bakr. If the Imam does not find a place to the left of the ill person, there is no harm in him standing to their right, as the matter does not exceed the degree of recommendation.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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