The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—once prayed sitting down when his side had been injured, and Umm Salamah left off prostration because of an eye ailment.

The standing of the prayer in Islam is immense. A Muslim is required—indeed, bound—to establish it both in health and in sickness. It is never dropped for the sick; rather, he performs it in whatever manner his condition permits. Therefore, the believer must guard the prayer as Allah has commanded.

May Allah grant everyone success in that which He loves and approves.

Second: The prayer of the rider

Among those who possess a legitimate excuse is the rider who would suffer harm were he to dismount to pray on the ground because of mud or rain; or who would be unable to remount after dismounting; or who fears losing his companions if he dismounts; or who fears for his safety from an enemy or a wild beast. In such cases he is to pray on his mount—whether an animal or any other conveyance—and he does not step down to the ground. This is supported by the hadith of Yaʿlā ibn Murrah: “The Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—reached a narrow pass while riding, whereupon he gave the call to prayer and the iqama, then the Messenger of Allah—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—moved forward on his mount…”