Rules about the Very Old or One with an Illness

2. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from al-Husayn ibn Sa‘id from al-Qasim ibn Muhammad from Ali ibn abu Hamzah from abu Basir who has said the following: “I once said to abu Ja’far عليه السلام, 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.’”

3. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ibn abu ‘ Umayr from Jamil ibn Darraj who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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.’”

4. Muhammad ibn Yahya has narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad from Hammad ibn ‘Isa from Hariz from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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)’”

5. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from Ibn Abi ‘Umayr from Hammad from al-Halabiy who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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.’”

6. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amir in a marfu‘ manner from Jamil ibn Darraj from Zurarah who has said the following: “Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, has said, ‘People suffering from illness can make gestures in their Salah (prayer).”’

7. Ali ibn Muhammad has narrated from Sahl ibn Ziyad ibn abu Nasr from ibn Bukayr from Muhammad ibn Muslim who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, 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.’”

8. Al-Husayn ibn Muhammad has narrated from ‘Abd Allah ibn ‘Amir from Ali ibn Mahziyar from Fadalah from Aban from Zurarah who has said the following: “I once asked abu Ja’far عليه السلام, 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.’”

9. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Mu‘awiyah ibn Maysarah who has said the following: “Sinan once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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.”

10. Ali ibn Ibrahim has narrated from his father from ‘Abd Allah ibn al-Mughirah from Sama‘ah who has said the following: “He (the Imam) عليه السلام, 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.’”

11. Ali has narrated from his father from ibn Mahbub from abu Hamzah who has said the following: “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 عليه السلام, 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.’”

12. Ali has narrated from his father from those who narrated to him who has said the following: “Abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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).”’

13. Ahmad ibn Idris has narrated from Muhammad ibn Ahmad from Ahmad ibn al-Hassan from ‘Amr ibn Sa‘id from Musaddiq ibn Sadaqah who has said the following: “I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah عليه السلام, 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.’”