Learn how to perform SALAH according to SUNNAH [A step-by-step guide]
Day 4: Standing in Prayer
He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to stand in prayer for both obligatory and voluntary prayers, carrying out the command of the Exalted:
“And stand before Allaah devoutly.” (Baqarah, 2:238).
As for during a journey, he would pray voluntary prayers on his riding beast.
He set the example for his ummah to pray during severe fear on foot or while mounted, as has been mentioned, and that is the purpose of the saying of Allaah:
“Guard strictly your (habit of) prayers, especially the Middle Prayer, and stand before Allaah devoutly. If you fear (an enemy) then pray on foot, or while riding. But when you are in security, celebrate Allaah’s praises in the manner He has taught you, which you did not know before.” (Baqarah, 2:238-9)
He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) prayed sitting during the illness of which he died.” He also prayed sitting on another occasion before that, when he was injured, and the people behind him prayed standing; so he indicated to them to sit, so they sat (and prayed). When he finished, he said, You were going to do as the Persians and the Romans do: stand for their kings who sit. So do not do so, for the Imaam is there to be followed: when he makes rukoo’, make rukoo’, when he rises, rise; and when he prays sitting, pray sitting [all of you].
The Prayer of a Sick Person in a Sitting Position:
‘Imran ibn Husain (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said, “I was suffering from haemorrhoids (piles), so I asked the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) and he said, Pray standing; if you are not able, then sitting down; if you are not able to do so, then pray lying down.
‘Imraan ibn Husain also said, “I asked him (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) about the prayer of a man while sitting, so he said: He who prays standing, that is better; he who prays sitting, his reward is half that of the former. He who prays lying down (and in another narration: reclining), has half the reward of the one who sits.
This applies to the sick person, for Anas (radiallaahu ‘anhu) said, “The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) came out to the people while they were praying sitting due to illness, so he said: Verily, the prayer of one who sits is (worth) half of the prayer of the one who stands.
Once “he (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) visited a sick person and saw him praying (leaning) on a pillow, so he took it and cast it aside. So the man took a stick to pray (leaning) on it, but he took it and cast it aside and said: Pray on the ground if you can, but otherwise make movements with your head, making your sujood lower than your rukoo.”
Prohibition of Prayer Facing the Grave:
He (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) used to forbid prayer facing the grave, saying: Do not pray towards the graves, and do not sit on them.
May we never miss even a single prayer and may Allah accept it from us, ameen
