Scholarly disagreement: The leading jurists concur that standing is obligatory in every prescribed prayer, and that a person who is unable to stand may not lead worshippers who are able, provided he is not the imām rāṭib (the regularly appointed imam of the mosque).

They diverged, however, on the validity of the imām rāṭib who is expected to recover from his ailment when he leads the able-bodied congregation while seated:

• Imām Aḥmad considered such leadership permissible, invoking the present hadith and the occasions on which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) led his Companions seated after his foot had been injured, as well as the prayers he led during his final illness.

• The Ḥanafīs likewise deem it valid for standing worshippers to follow a seated imam, citing the Prophet’s last prayer in which he led the people while seated and they stood behind him.

• Mālik and al-Shāfiʿī hold that one who is unable to stand may never lead those who can, whether or not he is the imām rāṭib and whether or not recovery is anticipated.

Their proof is the Prophet’s saying, “Do not differ with your imam” (narrated by Muslim, 414).