the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—and say, ‘O Allah, Lord of this perfect call,’” and so on, then offer supplication afterward.

He was asked:

“A woman regularly offers prayers at night, but at times she is unable to stand. She was told that a prayer offered sitting earns half the reward of a prayer offered standing. Is this correct?”

He answered:

Yes. It is authentically reported that the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said:

“A prayer offered sitting earns half the reward of a prayer offered standing.”

However, if a person habitually prays standing and sits only because he is unable to stand, Allah grants him the reward of praying standing, for the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—said:

“When a servant falls ill or travels, the deeds he used to perform while healthy and at home are recorded for him.”

Even if illness prevented him from offering the prayer altogether, Allah would record its full reward for him because of his intention and his doing whatever he could. How much more so, then, if he is unable to perform only some of its actions!