Performing voluntary prayers while seated and its reward
Question
Is it permissible for a Muslim to perform voluntary prayers while seated? And does he receive the full reward or only half of it, regardless of his health status?
Answer
It is permissible for a Muslim to perform voluntary prayers while seated, and he will receive half the reward of the one who prays while standing if he is healthy. This is based on a report from ʿImran Ibn Ḥuṣayn (may Allah be pleased with them both) who said that he asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) regarding a man who was praying while seated, and he said, “Whoever prays while standing, that is better; and whoever prays while seated, he will receive half the reward of the one who prays while standing; and whoever prays while lying down, he will receive half the reward of the one seated” (Al-Bukhari).
The reward of a person who prays voluntary prayers while seated, owing to illness, is not diminished, based on the hadith narrated by Abu Musa al-Ashʿari (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “If a servant falls ill or travels, the likes of what he used to do when he was settled and healthy will be recorded for him” (Al-Bukhari).
Imam al-Nawawi noted in Al-Majmuʿ Sharḥ Al-Muhadhdhab (4:310), “The Ummah has reached a consensus that whoever is unable to stand during the obligatory prayer should pray it while seated, and he does not have to repeat it. Our companions said, ‘His reward is no less than what he would have received if he had prayed while standing, for he is excused.’”
And Allah the Almighty knows best