Prayer #3: Standing

 

Illustration by Raimy Sofyan

The Prophet (SAW) performed prayers, fard or sunnah, while standing up, according to the Qur’an, 

QS Al-Baqarah 2: 238

Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah , devoutly obedient.

QS Al-Baqarah 2: 239          

And if you fear [an enemy, then pray] on foot or riding. But when you are secure, then remember Allah [in prayer], as He has taught you that which you did not [previously] know.

For the elderly or sick person, prayer can be done when sitting, and if not possible, it can be done while lying down. As mentioned in the following hadith:

Imran bin Hussain (RA) narrated: I had piles, so I asked Allah’s Messenger (SAW) about the prayer. He said, “Observe the prayer in a standing posture, but if you cannot do that then offer it in a sitting posture, and if you cannot do that then offer it lying on the side (Bukhari: 1117).

Imran bin Hussain (RA) asked Allah’s Apostle (SAW) about the prayer of a person in a standing posture. He said: If one observes the prayer while standing, it is most excellent and he who observes it in a sitting posture there is half the reward for him as compared to one who does it in a standing posture; and he who observes it while lying down, there is half the reward for him as compared to one who observes it in sitting posture (Bukhari: 1116)

Aisha (RA) reported that I never saw Allah’s Messenger (SAW) offering night prayer while sitting except in his old age and then he used to recite while sitting and whenever he wanted to bow he would stand up and recite thirty or forty verses (while standing) and then bow (Bukhari: 1118, Muslim: 731).

Illustration by Raimy Sofyan

Also review: 

Sholat 101: The journey to Allah, recited Al-Fatihah in every raka’at of prayer

You may also purchase the book on how to pray by click here.

 

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