I fell ill in Persia and therefore, prayed in a sitting posture, and I asked 'A'isha about it and she said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prayed for a long time in the night sitting.
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Author: Sahih Muslim | Hadith Reference: Sahih Muslim 730 c
Textual Analysis
This narration establishes the permissibility of performing obligatory prayers while sitting due to illness or incapacity. The questioner's situation in Persia demonstrates the practical application of this concession during travel.
Legal Ruling (Fiqh)
When praying while sitting, one should perform all postures in a seated manner. The prostration (sujūd) should be lower than the bowing (rukūʿ), maintaining the essential hierarchy of positions. The prayer remains complete and valid.
Spiritual Dimension
Allah has made the religion easy and does not burden a soul beyond its capacity. This concession reflects the divine mercy in Islamic law, where difficulty warrants ease. The ill person receives the same reward as one praying standing, as affirmed in other authentic narrations.
Prophetic Precedent
The reference to the Prophet praying extensively while sitting during his final illness confirms this practice's legitimacy. It demonstrates that concessions in prayer are not inferior acts but divinely approved accommodations for genuine need.