The Prophet ﷺ said, “Do not rise as the non-Arabs rise, each aggrandizing the other.” Hence, even in prayer, if the imam can no longer stand and therefore prays seated, the followers must also pray seated—despite their ability to stand—so that they do not resemble the non-Arabs who remain standing before their kings.

Accordingly, standing over someone is prohibited, unless a genuine need calls for it. If one fears the person might be harmed, a guard may stand over him without blame. Likewise, if someone stands over him to honor him while simultaneously humiliating the enemy, that too is permissible. This is what occurred with al-Mughīrah ibn Shuʿbah (may Allah be pleased with him) during the Treaty of al-Ḥudaybiyyah: when Quraysh sent envoys to negotiate with the Prophet ﷺ, al-Mughīrah stood at the Prophet’s head, sword in hand, exalting the Messenger of Allah and belittling the delegates of the unbelievers.