Tuesday, January 04, 2005

Praying While Sick

  • If someone was too weak to be able to stand, then he performs bowings and prostrations while sitting. This is because obedience to Allah is according to ability.
  • If he is unable to sit, then he lies on his back, supported by a pillow to incline his upper body, and stretches his legs in the direction of the prayer, hinting at bows and prostrations.
  • If someone that is unable to sit lied down on his side facing his chest in the direction of the prayer while hinting, then his prayer is valid also. However, sitting with ones legs stretched is better, because the hints point in the prayer direction.
  • If someone was not able to hint by his head, then he delays the prayer and does not hint by his eyes, heart or eyebrows.
  • If someone is able to stand, but not to perform bowing and prostration, then he does not have to stand, but sits and hints at the movements. He may stand, but the best is to sit, because hinting while seated is closer to real prostration
  • If a healthy person performed some of his prayer standing but suddenly fell ill, then he completes while seated (prostrating or hinting as able), or lying on his back if necessary.
  • If someone praying seated, while performing complete bowings and prostrations due to illness, became well during the prayer, then he builds upon what has been done and performs the rest standing (i.e. he stands where it is required.)
  • If someone praying by hinting at bows and prostrations due to illness became well during it, then he must pray all over again.
  • If someone started praying optionally while standing but became weak, then it is acceptable for him to lean on a stick or wall, or to sit down. This is because this is an excuse.
  • If he started leaning during optional prayer without an excuse then this is disliked, because it is improper behavior.
  • If he sat (during an optional prayer - after having stood in the beginning) without an excuse, then it is disliked but valid.
  • If someone prays seated in a boat (while sailing) without being sick, then it is valid, but standing is better.
  • If the boat is tied to the shore, then one must pray on land if the boat is unstable; praying on the boat would be invalid.
  • The boat tied to an anchor in the middle of the sea takes the judgment of the boat sailing if there is a lot of movement. If it is stable, then one must stand.
  • The one who loses consciousness or sanity for 5 consecutive prayer times or less must make them up. If it was more, then he does not have to pray them.
  • The one who sleeps through prayers must make them up, no matter how many.