and the hadith: “Pray standing; if you are unable, then seated.” This includes both an incapacity present from the outset and one that arises during the prayer.

Two issues:

The first issue: If he completes the recitation of al-Fatihah while rising from a seated position to standing, is it valid?

For example: A sick person is praying seated. When he reaches the words of Allah, Most High, “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” he feels renewed strength and rises. While rising, he recites, “Guide us to the straight path.”

The second issue: If he completes it while unable to stand, as he is lowering himself, is it valid?

For example: A person is praying standing. While standing, when he reaches the words of Allah, Most High, “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” he becomes tired and lowers himself. While lowering himself, he recites, “Guide us to the straight path.”

The jurists said: As for the first issue, it is not valid, because once he is able to stand, standing becomes obligatory. Al-Fatihah must be recited while standing when one is able to stand, whereas he recited it while rising, and rising is short of standing.

As for the second issue, it is valid, because the state of lowering oneself is superior to the state of sitting.

However, if it were said that the words of Allah, Most High, “So fear Allah as much as you are able” [al-Taghabun: 16], include the first case as well, because the man who becomes able during