Excuses For Missing Prayer

Question: Praying standing up is likely to make me sick. Can I pray sitting down? Can I skip the Friday prayer if being around people stresses me out and makes me sick?

Answer:

Wa alaykum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

Dear questioner,

Thank you for your important question.

The genuine and reasonable fear of becoming unwell or becoming more sick is an excuse that allows one to pray sitting down and allows one to not attend the Friday prayer.

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace said), ‘The Friday prayer is a binding duty upon every Muslim save four: a slave who is owned by another, a woman, a child, and the sick’ (Nasai).

However, you should double-check with a reliable Muslim doctor to make sure the fear is genuine and reasonable.

I pray this helps and I pray that All returns to full health very soon.

[Ustadh] Farid

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language