Permissibility of Sitting Cross-Legged in Salah Due to Illness

❖ Hadith Reference​

Abdullah ibn Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), when he sat in prayer, would place his left foot between his thigh and shin, spread his right foot, place his left hand on his left knee, and his right hand on his right thigh, and point with his index finger.

Reference: Sahih Muslim: 579

❖ Scholarly Insights​

Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) was observed sitting cross-legged during prayer. When questioned, he explained that he did so due to an inability to sit in the prescribed manner.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari: 793

Scholars have reached a consensus that sitting cross-legged in prayer is not permissible unless one is unable to sit properly due to illness or physical constraints.
Reference: Nukhab al-Afkar: 1537

❖ Practical Guidelines​

✔ Standard Practice: The Sunnah method of sitting during Tashahhud involves propping up the right foot and tucking the left foot beneath oneself.


✔ Exception Due to Illness: If a person is unable to sit in the prescribed manner due to illness or physical difficulty, it is permissible to sit cross-legged.

✔ Maintaining Proper Posture: Even when sitting cross-legged, hands should be placed on the respective knees, and the index finger should be used for pointing during Tashahhud.

❖ Conclusion​

Sitting cross-legged during prayer is permissible for those who are unable to sit in the prescribed manner due to illness or physical constraints. In such cases, one should maintain proper posture by placing hands on the knees and pointing with the index finger during Tashahhud.