Back to search

What is the ruling on congregational prayer in the mosque for someone who cannot stand still without movement due to an illness that affects their balance, and is their prayer valid at home with movement while standing?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

If you are able to pray standing, even if swaying due to dizziness, then pray standing, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "And if I command you to do something, then do of it as much as you are able." If you are unable to, then pray sitting, for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Pray standing; if you are unable, then sitting." Your shyness before people when praying sitting is from Satan. If you are able to pray in congregation standing, it is obligatory upon you. If you are unable, then you have the choice between praying in congregation sitting or praying alone standing. Be keen on congregational prayer as much as you are able, as the Companions used to do. If you pray in your home, your prayer is valid, but if you are able to pray with the congregation standing and you lag behind, you would have neglected an obligatory matter.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy