14- THE PRAYER OF A SICK PERSON
THE PRAYER OF A SICK PERSON
Someone unable to stand may pray the prescribed prayer seated (and need not make it up), unable meaning that standing involves manifest hardship, will cause illness or the worsening of a present illness, or cause vertigo, as when one is on a ship. Such a person may sit for the prayer any way he likes, though the iftirash style of sitting is recommended. It is offensive in prayer to simply sit on the ground, palms down and knees drawn up, or to sit with legs outstretched (when there is no excuse).
When seated for the prayer, the minimal bowing is to incline until the forehead is farther forward than the knees. The optimal way is to incline until the forehead is as far forward as the place where the head rests in prostration. When unable to bow or prostrate, one comes as close to the ground with the forehead as one can. When unable to do this, one performs them by nodding.
If an abscess or the like prevents one from sitting, then one “sits” standing (A: meaning ordinary standing, with the intention of sitting (N: so that one stands between prostrations and for the Testification of Faith (Tashahhud))).
If one is capable of standing but suffers from a painful swelling of the eyes or something similar (such as a wound that can be treated by having the patient remain lying down) and a reliable physician (in terms of knowledge and expertise in medicine, who can be believed) tells one that praying while on one’s back will enable one to be treated, then it is permissible to pray while lying down without having to make up the prayer)>
If unable to stand and unable to sit, one lies on one’s right side (the right is recommended) facing the direction of prayer (qibla) with the face and front of the one’s body, though one must bow and prostrate if possible (meaning one stands up enough to bow, then bows, then prostrates; or else sits up and bows). If this is not possible, one bows and prostrates by merely nodding one’s head (bringing one’s forehead as near to the ground as possible), deeper for prostration than for bowing. If unable to even nod, one merely glances down with the eyes for bowing and prostration. If one cannot, one goes through the integrals of the prayer in one’s mind. If unable to speak (to recite the Fatiha) one recites it in one’s heart. The obligation of prayer exists as long as one is able to reason (dis: f1.1, second par.).
If one is standing during the prayer and becomes unable to remain standing, one sits to finish the prayer. If this occurs during the Fatiha, one may not interrupt reciting it, but must continue to do so as one proceeds to sit. If one’s condition improves enough (O: i.e. if seated during a prescribed prayer because of illness and a recovery of strength enables one to now stand), then one must stand to complete the prayer.
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