Among the manifestations of this divine leniency—and the matter now under discussion—is the question: How is the prayer performed by someone who has a valid excuse, such as illness, travel, or fear?

First: The prayer of the sick

1. The prayer is never to be abandoned. A sick person is required to perform it standing; if he needs to lean on a cane or anything similar while standing, that is permissible, for whatever is indispensable for fulfilling an obligation assumes the ruling of the obligation itself.

2. If standing proves impossible, causes significant hardship, or there is a fear that the illness will worsen or recovery be delayed, he should pray sitting.

3. The concession of sitting does not require total inability to stand, yet mere mild discomfort is not enough; what counts is considerable hardship.

4. The scholars unanimously agree that anyone unable to stand in an obligatory prayer may offer it sitting. He need not repeat the prayer later, nor is his reward diminished. He may sit in whatever posture is easiest for him, for the Lawgiver did not prescribe a particular manner; therefore, however he sits is acceptable.

5. If he cannot pray sitting because that, too, entails marked hardship or is beyond his capacity, he should pray lying on his side with his face toward the qiblah; it is preferable to lie on the right side. If no one can turn him toward the qiblah and he cannot do so himself, he should pray as he is, facing whichever direction is manageable.

6. If he is unable even to pray on his side, he must pray on his back with his feet pointed toward the qiblah, so far as that is possible.