Rules about the Very Old or One with an Illness

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), ’Do you perform optional Salah (prayer) in a sitting position? He (the Imam) replied, ‘I perform them in a sitting position only from the time I have gained this much weight and reached this age.’”

“I once said to abu Ja’far (a.s.), that we speak and say that whoever performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position without good reason, his two Rak’at are counted as one Rak’at and his two Sajdah (prostration) are counted as one Sajdah (prostration). He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not that way. It is complete for you.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an illness. In what condition he is allowed to perform Salah (prayer) in a sitting position? He (the Imam) said, ‘A man is unwell and experiences anguish; however, he knows better about himself. When he is able he must stand up.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man and a woman who lose their eyesight. Physicians say that they can treat them within a month or forty nights while they remain lying down on their back. Can they perform Salah (prayer) in this condition? He (the Imam) gave permission saying, ‘(Permission is granted to) those who are compelled and they are not rebels and transgressors. It is not a sin on them. (2:168)’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an illness and is not able to stand up and perform Sujud (prostrations). He (the Imam) said, ‘He is required to perform his Salah (prayer) by making gestures with his head, and placing his forehead on the ground is lovelier to me.’”

“Abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘People suffering from illness can make gestures in their Salah (prayer).”’

“I once asked abu Ja‘far (a.s.), about the case of one who suffers from an internal illness because of which is not able to control anal discharge. He (the Imam) said, ‘He continues his Salah (prayer) wherever in Salah (prayer) he is.’”

“I once asked abu Ja’far (a.s.), about a man who performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position. He recites Surah (chapter). When he wants to complete it he stands up then performs Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). He (the Imam) said, ‘His Salah (prayer) is like that of the one who performs it in a standing position.’”

“Sinan once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who during Salah (prayer) stretches one of his legs in his front while he is sitting. He (the Imam) said, ‘It is not harmful.’ I do not think except that he (the Imam) said it about one with health problems or illness. In another Hadith it is said that he can perform Salah (prayer) folding his legs in a square shape or stretch them, all of it is permissible.”

“He (the Imam) (a.s.), was asked about the captive of the pagans. It becomes time for Salah (prayer) and the captor does not allow him to perform Salah (prayer). He (the Imam) said, ‘He performs Salah (prayer) by making gestures.’”

“About the words of Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, ‘. . . those who speak of Allah, standing, sitting and while lying on their sides. . .’ (32:15) abu Ja‘far (a.s.), has said, ‘A healthy person performs Salah (prayer) standing. One suffering from an illness performs Salah (prayer) sitting, and ‘on their sides’ is for one who is weaker than a patient who performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘One suffering from an illness performs Salah (prayer) in a sitting position; if one cannot do this also, one does so while lying on one’s back, says Takbir (Allah is great beyond description) then recites. For Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees) closes his eyes, then says Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects), then opens his eyes. Opening one’s eyes is considered standing up from Ruku‘ (bowing down on one’s knees). For Sajdah (prostration) one closes one’s eyes, then says Tasbih (Allah is free of all defects) and then opens one’s eyes which is considered raising one’s head from Sajdah (prostration). Then one says Tashahhud (testimonies of belief) and ends Salah (prayer).”’

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about a man who suffers from an illness: if it is permissible to stand up on his floor furnishing and perform Sajdah (prostration) on earth. He (the Imam) said, ‘If the furnishing is thick of the size of a brick or less, he can stand up on it and perform Sajdah (prostration) on earth, but if it is more than that, then it is not permissible.’”