Is it a condition for sitting in the obligatory prayer to be unable to stand only, or does that include being able to do so with difficulty and pain?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Standing in the obligatory prayer is a pillar that may not be abandoned except in cases of inability or excessive hardship that is usually difficult to bear, as the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Pray standing; if you are unable, then sitting; if you are unable, then on your side."
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymin clarified that the criterion for the hardship that permits sitting in prayer is that which removes khushu' (devotional humility), presence of heart, and tranquility.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/159395
Where this answer came from
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 159395
- 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