How does a sick person perform Salaah lying down in bed?

Q. After undergoing an operation in hospital, a man has been advised by his doctor to lie down in bed and not make any movements until recovery. How does he perform Salaah in this situation?

A. In the enquired situation, if one cannot stand and perform Salaah, then one must sit and perform Salaah.

If one cannot sit and perform Salaah, then one must lie down and perform Salaah.

If one cannot lie down and perform Salaah, then one must perform Salaah by the movements (Ishaarah) of one’s head.

If one cannot perform Salaah by the movement of one’s head, then one must postpone the performance of Salaah and make Qadha of the Salaah after one recovers.

N.B. There is no performance of Salaah with the eyes, eyebrows or heart. (Halbi Saqheer 1/68-Lubaab 1/49-Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah 22/236)

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbaas Radhiyallahu Anhu reports that Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “A sick/ailing person should perform Salaah standing. If he finds it difficult, then he should perform Salaah sitting. If he finds it difficult, then he should perform Salaah lying down, making movements with his head. If he finds it difficult, then he should engage in the remembrance of Allah. (Mu’jamul Awsat)

Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Ismaeel Bassa

themufti.com