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Pray while standing; if you cannot, then while sitting; and if you cannot, then while lying on your side

‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was suffering from hemorrhoids (piles); so I asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the prayer and he said:

"Pray while standing; if you cannot, then while sitting; and if you cannot, then while lying on your side."

«صَلِّ قَائِمًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَقَاعِدًا، فَإِنْ لَمْ تَسْتَطِعْ فَعَلَى جَنْبٍ».

Narrated by Al-Bukhāri
Authentic
Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that the main rule is to pray while standing, except when one is unable to do so, in which case he can pray while sitting, and if he cannot, he can pray while lying on his side.

Word Meaning

بواسير: جمع باسور، وهو ورم يصيب مقعدة الإنسان.

Benefits from the Hadith

Prayer does not cease to be due as long as a person retains his sanity. He may move from one condition to another according to his capacity.

The Hadīth shows the leniency and ease of Islam, as it allows a person to perform worship in accordance with his ability.

References

Sahīh Al-Bukhāri (2/ 48) (1117).

More (4)

توضيح الأحكام من بلوغ المرام.

لعبدالله البسام (2/ 322).

منحة العلام في شرح بلوغ المرام.

لعبد الله الفوزان (3/ 202).