How do we know whether he is in front of the imam or not, it is judged by where the heels are. If they are standing level at the heel and the toes of the one who is praying behind the imam turn out to be in front because he has longer feet, that does not matter. With regard to those who are sitting, it is judged by where the posterior is. And with regard to those who are praying on their sides, it is judged by their sides.” Salaah performed on a chair will be incomplete if a person is capable of sitting on the ground and doing sujood (prostration). This ruling applies to one, even though one may not be capable of standing in Qiyaam.

If a person is unable to do that and prays on a chair, there is nothing wrong with that, because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer] ….” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:144) Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

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Note: Nowadays, a compass is available which gives the direction of Qiblah. In strange places and airplanes it is a The performing of Salaah on a chair has become very common in cities around the world, especially in wealthy localities. Pondering over this condition of people, it seems as if the permission granted to the people with disabilities is being used incorrectly by common worshipers, due to ignorance and misunderstanding, ultimately defecting the validity of Salaah.

Qiyaam , meaning to stand, is a “ RUKN (integral part)” in Fardh Salaah. Fardh Salaah will be incomplete, if performed while seated by an individual who is capable of standing. The Prophet (pbuh), while travelling would at times perform Nafl Salaah (optional prayers) on his conveyance, but would always descend (climbing off the conveyance) when performing the Fardh Salaah. Never once in his life, did he (pbuh) perform his Fardh Salaah while travelling on his conveyance. If Qiyaam had not been a Rukn in Salaah, the Prophet (pbuh) would have at least once performed his Salaah while mounted on his conveyance to confirm the permissibility of doing so. The Ahaadeeth (prophetic reports) in this matter are numerous. Listed below are a few references: Jaabir (ra) reports, “ The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) offered his prayers upon his conveyance (transportation) in which ever direction the (conveyance animal) was facing. When he intended to perform the Fardh prayer, he would climb down and face the Qibla”. (Bukhari) The one who prays sitting on the ground or on a chair must make his prostration lower than his bowing. The Sunnah is for him to put his hands on his knees when bowing, and when prostrating the Sunnah is to put them on the ground if possible; if he cannot do that then he should put them on his knees, because it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “I have been commanded to prostrate on seven bones: the forehead – and he pointed to his nose – the two hands, the two knees, and the edges of the two feet (i.e., the toes).”If a person is able to stand, while gaining support from an object or leaning upon something, the Salaah will be rendered incomplete, if performed in a seated position. Taawudh and Tasmiyah, a person has to recite the whole of Surah Al-Fatihah. This is a pillar (rukn) and the Prayer will not be correct without it. Whoever is unable to stand, it is permissible for him to sit on a chair during the standing, and he should bow and prostrate in the proper manner. If he is able to stand but it is difficult for him to bow and prostrate, he should pray standing, then sit on the chair when bowing and prostrating, and he should bend lower for the prostration than for the bowing. If we analyze the situation today of Salaah being performed on a chair, we would find the majority invalidating their Salaah. The same majority who are seen attending their daily needs, standing, walking and roaming around throughout the day, yet when Salaahapproaches, they become apparently physically disabled.