Fatwa: # 16052
Category: Prayer (Salaat)
Country: South Africa
Date: 3rd January 2008

Title

Can i pray Salaah sitting down?

Question

i work in an open plan office and would like to know if it is acceptable to pray salaah 'siiting down' , cos this way there is some privacy when praying.

Answer

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh

Qiyam (standing) is obligatory in Fardh Salaah. If one performs his Fardh Salaah whilst sitting without any valid reason, the Salaah will not be accepted.

(Fatawa Mahmoodiyah Vol.5 Pg.544 – Jami’ah Farooqiyah)

Privacy is not a condition for Salaah. Therefore, this cannot be regarded as a valid reason for performing Salaah whilst sitting. Moreover, one is encouraged to perform his Fardh Salaah in disclosure as it could be a reminder for others to perform their Salaah. Moreover, this could also be a means of inviting non-Muslims towards Islam.

And Allah knows best

Wassalam

Ml. Abu Yahya
Student Darul Iftaa

Concurred by:

Ml. Ehzaz Ajmeri,
Student Darul Iftaa

Darul Iftaa

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