/ Pray while standing; if you cannot, then while sitting; and if you cannot, then while lying on your side

Pray while standing; if you cannot, then while sitting; and if you cannot, then while lying on your side

‘Imrān ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: I was suffering from hemorrhoids (piles); so I asked the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) about the prayer and he said: "Pray while standing; if you cannot, then while sitting; and if you cannot, then while lying on your side."
Narrated by Bukhari

Explanation

The Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) pointed out that the main rule is to pray while standing, except when one is unable to do so, in which case he can pray while sitting, and if he cannot, he can pray while lying on his side.

Hadeeth benefits

  1. Prayer does not cease to be due as long as a person retains his sanity. He may move from one condition to another according to his capacity.
  2. The Hadīth shows the leniency and ease of Islam, as it allows a person to perform worship in accordance with his ability.