Question:
As Salaamu Alaikum. can you plz explain the rulings on sitting on a chair and praying in details(where chair foot should be nd where person foot should be). jazakallah
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
On the onset, it must be understood that a person is only allowed to offer Salah on a chair in the condition that he is not able to sit on the ground and make Sajdah (i.e. place his forehead on the ground). Moreover, sitting in the Tashahud position is not a contingent to perform Sajdah. Thus, if a person is able to perform Sajdah comfortably, in any sitting position, other than the Tashahud position, he is obliged to do so and is not permitted to offer Salah seated on a chair.
The straightening of the lines is indeed an emphasized practice of the Holy Prophet ﷺ and is regarded as part of establishing and perfecting the Salah. Generally, the straightening of the lines are achieved by the heels of the Worshipers all being in the same line.[1] However, as for those who offer Salah sitting, for them the straightening of the lines would be achieved by placing his posterior (buttocks) in line. [2]Therefore, if a person is offering Salah seated on a chair he should place the two back legs of the chair on the line.
Those performing Salah on a chair do not need to stand, rather it is better for them to sit.[3] If however a person stands and makes Isharah (gesture) for Sajdah seated on the chair then his posterior should be in line and not his heels. The reason being is that, for such a person, Qiyaam (standing) is not obligatory upon him and thus the ruling of a person sitting will also be applicable to him. Furthermore, if he places his heels on the line it would mean that the back legs of the chair would protrude disrupting the continuity of the row behind creating a gap which is incorrect.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Kaleem Muhammad
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom
Trinidad, West Indies
www.fatwa-tt.com /www.jaamia.net
