Is it permissible to pray in front of someone sleeping or sitting?
Source: FtawySummary from Ftawy's records · added here Sep 2, 2026
Scholars dislike praying in the direction of someone sleeping for fear of uncovering their 'awrah or causing disturbance. As for praying in the direction of someone sitting, it is disliked if they are facing the worshiper. If they are shielded by their back, there is a detailed explanation: it is disliked if it is a non- woman or a disbeliever, but permissible without dislike if it is a man who is not a disbeliever. Regarding a mahram woman, there are two opinions, the preponderant of which is permissibility.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/50276
Where this answer came from
- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 50276
- 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