Chapter: The Prayer of Those with Excuses

The sick person is required to pray standing …

Excuses is the plural of excuse. What is meant here are illness, travel, and fear. These are the excuses on account of which the prayer differs when they are present.

The variation in prayer—whether in its manner or its number—due to these excuses is derived from a general principle in Islamic law: Allah Most High says:

“Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship.” [al-Baqarah 2:185]

And He says:

“He has not placed upon you in religion any hardship.” [al-Hajj 22:78]

And He says:

“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.” [al-Baqarah 2:286]

Thus, whenever hardship exists, facilitation exists. One of the well-known legal maxims among the jurists is: hardship brings about ease.

In the phrase, “The sick person is required,” the word “the sick person” is in the accusative case, because it is the object placed before the subject; the subject is the word “prayer.” This is like Allah’s saying: “And when Abraham was tested by his Lord” [al-Baqarah 2:124].

A sick person is one whose health has been impaired, whether in one part of his body or throughout his body. Whoever has an eye complaint is sick; whoever has pain in a finger is sick; and whoever is afflicted by fever is sick. Thus, illness is an impairment of the body’s health, whether total or partial. A partial impairment may lead to a total impairment, as indicated by the Prophet’s statement, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him: “The example of the believers in their mutual affection, mercy, and compassion is like that of