Can I Pray Sitting Down if I Fear Unjust Police Action?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Where public prayer can lead to police action, am I permitted to pray discreetly sitting in a corner and repeat it later at home, or must I pray standing, trusting Allah for protection?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
If you are referring to public prayer, such as the Friday prayer or any congregational prayer, it is important to pray in a manner that does not cause any obstruction or inconvenience to others and complies with the law. You will have to ask and seek guidance from local scholars who can advise you on whether it is permissible to pray discreetly due to fear of public or police unjust action.
Fear Recognized by Sacred Law
The main issue is distinguishing legitimate fear that the Sacred Law recognizes from mere delusion or exaggeration. Hence, one could pray sitting only if their fear of harm is legitimate, that is, based on either.
(a) past experience or
(b) a clear sign regarding which no two reasonable people would disagree over, in your case, the local scholars can determine.
(c) Being informed by a Muslim authority in the case of fear of physical harm.
[Ibn ’Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
General Fear
General fears, however, are generally unfounded. If you pray sitting or delay your prayer without one of the three above bases for reasonable fear, then your prayer would not be valid; you would be sinful and would need to repent.
Roads and Public Spaces Have Rights
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Beware of loitering in the roads.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, we have nowhere else to sit and talk.” The Prophet said, “If you insist, give the road its rights.” They said, “What are its rights, O Messenger of Allah?” The Prophet said, “Lower the gaze, refrain from harm, return greetings of peace, enjoin good and forbid evil.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Remember that the intention behind any action matters. If you’re considerate of others and fulfill your religious obligations while respecting public spaces, you’ll strike a balance between personal worship and communal harmony.
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.
Related
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I pray this helps answer your question.
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
