Q: I am 50 yesrs old. I have been making nanaaz regularly in the musjid daily all my life and for the past year or so. I make namaaz at home and only jumah in the musjid. This is due to chronic pain in my feet, toes and legs and I can’t bend my toes anymore hence I sit on a chair when I make namaaz. I only go for jumah and don’t sit on a chair at jumah. I make the two rakaat fard of jumah normal though I go through great pain. As soon as the fard is over I leave the musjid instantly. My great worry is that recently I read that we can’t sit and make namaaz. The article read beware of the chair and stay away from the chair as namaaz on a chair is not accepted. I am in deep worry and cry a lot daily. I am unable to go for treatment to a private doctor or hospital as I am a pauper. I cannot go to government hospitals as every person I know with feet problems like mines land up with operations in the government hospitals but either loose their legs or land up with their feet being worse. I don’t drink nor smoke. I strictly eat halaal food and live a clean life but still have this problem. I want to know if all my namaaz I made sitting is baatil. Yesterday I put pads around my feet and legs and attempted namaaz standing but the pain extends to my back. I am not cripple nor old aged and have no sickness so old age is not an excuse. Kindly advise what to do as I am unable to go for treatment so this pain becomes worse hence I will be sitting and makng namaaz.
A: If it is difficult for you to perform the Salaah standing due to the severe pain, it will be permissible for you to sit on a chair and perform the Salaah.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)