thirty or forty verses of the surah, he would stand and recite them, then bow. (1) We say: The sunnah is to begin it seated, then stand. But if we consider that standing in an obligatory prayer is an essential pillar, we say: Begin with the pillar first; then, if it becomes difficult for you, sit, based on the principle: “So fear Allah as much as you are able.” [al-Taghabun: 16]

We also say: Perhaps he may think it will be difficult for him, yet it will not be difficult, and he may be granted help. Perhaps he will be able to recite al-Fatihah and bow, even if he does not recite any surahs after it. This issue requires further examination. Whoever considers the Prophet’s practice in the night prayer will give preference to praying seated, then standing when nearing the bowing. But whoever considers standing to be an essential pillar will say: What is preferable is to begin with the pillar, standing first, and then sit when fatigue sets in. The first manner is distinguished by the fact that one is able to bow properly, unlike the second, in which one bows by gesture.

IF HE BECOMES ABLE OR UNABLE DURING IT, HE MOVES TO THE OTHER POSITION, ...........

His statement, “If he becomes able or unable during it, he moves to the other”: If, during the prayer, a sick person becomes able to perform an act which he had been unable to do, he moves to it.

For example, a sick man who is unable to stand begins the prayer seated. Then, during the prayer, he finds renewed strength, so we say to him: Stand, based on the principle: “So fear Allah as much as you are able.” [al-Taghabun: 16] “Pray standing; if you are unable, then seated.” (2) Conversely, if he is energetic at the beginning of the prayer and begins praying standing, then becomes tired and sits, we say: There is no harm in this, because of the verse