Do I still have to go to the Masjid?

[Ahmed7]

:salams:

I have strained my leg/knee and I cannot go into the sitting position. I can pray on the ground (by sitting in a different way) but it is vary laborious and inefficient and a little painful. So I have been praying in a chair instead, now I have 3 questions:


Should I be praying in a chair?
Should I still be going to the Masjid (I havent), or does this injury count as sickness?
Also, I would be kind of embarrassed to go sit in a chair for sajada (and sitting position) in the masjid (as I am not old), is it minor shirk to think in this way and not go to the Masjid because of it?

[M. Siddiqi]

:salams:

I have strained my leg/knee and I cannot go into the sitting position. I can pray on the ground (by sitting in a different way) but it is vary laborious and inefficient and a little painful. So I have been praying in a chair instead, now I have 3 questions:


Should I be praying in a chair?
Should I still be going to the Masjid (I havent), or does this injury count as sickness?
Also, I would be kind of embarrassed to go sit in a chair for sajada (and sitting position) in the masjid (as I am not old), is it minor shirk to think in this way and not go to the Masjid because of it?



Wa Alaikum Salam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu,


If you are unable to pray in the way of the sunnah because of physical reasons, it is not a sin. Salaah should not be something we dread, but something we look forward to to give us stength and peace of mind and soul.

If you cannot pray standing, pray sitting, if you cannot pray sitting, pray laying, if you cannot move anthing else except your finger, then move your finger.

If you can pray sitting in a chair, then there should be a chair available at the masjid, if not, you could take your own. I cannot tell you what is best for you because I do not know your specific condition, wallahu alim. But from what I can tell you are still able, so it would still be best to attend the masjid.

If you are able, while your sitting in the chair, during ruku, put your hands on your knees. If you can stand and do ruku, then do that. When the people go for sujud, sit down. During sujud, hold your hands in front of you like they would be during sujud, evne with each other, and bow your head as much as possible. Always keep your eyes on place of sujud, as in every salaah.

[me.sawda]

Should I be praying in a chair?

-->Yes, Of course untill you get well.

Should I still be going to the Masjid (I havent), or does this injury count as sickness?
-->You should try your best to go to masjid. Arrange a chair or something to sit on, in Masjid.

Also, I would be kind of embarrassed to go sit in a chair for sajada (and sitting position) in the masjid (as I am not old), is it minor shirk to think in this way and not go to the Masjid because of it?
-->It wont be shirk. You are doing it for your incapability as long as not for any other reason it won't be a sin. Allah is the most merciful.

[|zdihaar]

Question:
My question is about prayers.I hurt my back and hip in an accident some time ago and am now unable to bow down in rukoo and sujood.How may I say my salat?I feel very guilty and sad about this.However I have been advised not to bow down as it increase my injury.Please advise.
Jazaak allah.

Answer:
Praise be to Allaah.

Al-Bukhaari narrated in his Saheeh:

‘Imraan ibn Husayn said: “I had haemorrhoids and I asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about that. He said, ‘Pray standing; if you cannot do that, then (pray) sitting; if you cannot do that then (pray) on your side.” (Saheeh al-Bukhaari, 1066).

If you can stand up, then do not sit, unless that is too difficult for you. If you sit because it is too difficult to stand, you will still have the full reward.

Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If a person gets sick or travels, he will have the same reward as when he was healthy or not travelling.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 2834).

With regard to rukoo’ and sujood, you do not have to do them because you are not able to do them, since bowing would cause you harm. You should try to lean forward as much as you can for rukoo’ and sujood, making the sujood lower than the rukoo’ by nodding or gesturing. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Put your forehead on the ground if you can, otherwise use nods or gestures, and make your sujood lower than your rukoo’.” Shaykh al-Albaani said: this was narrated by al-Tabaraani, al-Bazzaar, Ibn al-Sammaak in his hadeeth (67/2) and al-Bayhaqi. Its isnaad is saheeh as I explained in al-Saheehah (323). Sifat Salaat al-Nabi (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), p. 79.

Ibn Qudaamah said in the text of al-‘Umdah: “If a person is unable to do rukoo’ or sujood, he should indicate them by nods or gestures.” (al-‘Umdah Sharh al-‘Iddah, p. 126)

If you cannot even nod or gesture, then pray according to your situation; your rukoo’ and sujood could be by intention only, when you reach them and recite the appropriate adhkaar in them. Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope and He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A (http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=7522&ln=eng&txt=pray%20sit)
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid