Is it permissible for a man to lead people in a congregational obligatory prayer while he is sitting on a chair and gesturing for prostration?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
It is permissible for a person who cannot stand to lead in prayer others who are also unable to stand, according to the consensus of the majority of jurists. As for those who are able to stand, his imamate for them is not valid according to the Malikis, while the Hanafis and Shafi'is permit it. The Hanbalis hold that the imamate is valid if the imam is a regular imam and his inability is temporary. This last opinion is the most preferred.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/57755
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 57755
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy