so a sick person should pray within the prescribed time as his condition permits, as the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said to Imrān ibn Husayn:

“Pray standing; if you cannot, then sitting; and if you cannot, then lying on your side.”

He should therefore pray sitting within the prescribed time, rather than standing after it has ended. Likewise, those without clothing, such as people who have been shipwrecked, should pray unclothed within the prescribed time, rather than delay the prayer until after its time so that they can pray clothed.

Similarly, someone who is unsure of the direction of prayer should pray within the prescribed time, using his own judgment or following another’s judgment. He must not delay the prayer until after its time so that he can pray with certainty about the direction. Someone with an impurity on his body or clothing that he cannot remove before the prayer time ends should pray with it within the prescribed time. He must not let the prayer time pass so that he can pray free of impurity.

Likewise, someone confined in an impure place, a bathhouse, or any other place where prayer is forbidden, who cannot leave before the prayer time ends, must pray there within the prescribed time. He must not let the prayer time pass so that he can pray elsewhere.

Offering prayer within its prescribed time is obligatory to the extent that circumstances and one’s ability permit, even if the prayer falls short of its complete form. Even someone in danger must offer the prayer of fear within the prescribed time as best he can. He must not let its time pass so that he can pray in safety afterward. Even during combat, he must pray while fighting, rather than let the prayer time pass so that he can pray without fighting. An obligatory prayer offered within its prescribed time, even if deficient, is better than letting its time pass and then offering it, even in its complete form;