and a person who is not in a state of ritual purity may perform these acts, unlike acts performed only within prayer, such as bowing, which can only form part of a prayer. The finest physical act in prayer is prostration, and its finest utterance is Quran recitation. Both are prescribed outside prayer as well, thus making worship of Allah easy. Prayer, however, is the finest of deeds, so the finest state is required for it.

Obligatory prayer has requirements that voluntary prayer does not, such as standing and facing the qiblah when one is able. Voluntary prayer while riding a mount during a journey is permitted, as established by the Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace. The authentic hadith collections establish that he:

“Would offer voluntary prayers on his mount while travelling, in whatever direction it carried him.”

The scholars agree that this is permissible, even though it is prayer without standing or facing the qiblah. Someone offering voluntary prayer on a mount can only pray in this manner. Prohibiting voluntary prayer in these circumstances would therefore mean losing an opportunity to worship Allah that is available only in this way. Obligatory prayer is different: it is a prescribed, limited duty for which one can dismount without being prevented from continuing one’s journey. Anyone unable to dismount because of fighting, illness or mud may also perform it on the mount.

Permission is also given to offer voluntary prayer sitting down, but one must face the qiblah, since this remains possible while seated. That requirement is therefore not waived. Requiring one to stand is a different matter, since giving up voluntary prayer may be difficult for a person. This concession makes prayer easier according to one’s ability. Thus Allah has made obligatory in prescribed prayer what is not required in voluntary prayer.