Is the prayer of an elderly woman who is sitting valid, given her inability to stand at the time of the opening takbir, and that performing the entire prayer while sitting is easier for her?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Standing in a fard (obligatory) prayer is a pillar for one who is able to do so. This includes standing for the opening takbir (takbirat al-) and for the recitation of Al-Fatihah. Whoever finds apparent difficulty in standing, or fears an increase in illness, may pray sitting, and is not required to repeat the prayer. The slightest difficulty is not sufficient for this. So, if a woman finds it difficult to stand for the opening takbir, she may sit. However, if she is able to stand for it, she must do so, and then she may sit if standing during the recitation of Al-Fatihah becomes difficult for her.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/95064
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 95064
- 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