❖ Question: What is the Ruling on Performing Salah While Sitting on a Chair?
Source: Fatāwā Amaanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amaanpuri
Performing salah on a chair is not an ideal or commendable practice and should be avoided as much as possible.
However, if one has no other option due to a genuine excuse or medical necessity, then it is permissible.
Unfortunately, it has been observed that people often resort to the chair for minor discomforts, even though the same individuals are able to sit without a chair in shops or at home.
20–25 years ago, the same illnesses and excuses existed, yet such a trend was not seen in the mosques.
Now, it seems the use of chairs has become widespread merely by imitation.
Imams of the masājid should educate and correct people on this issue.
They should encourage those who are able to sit on the floor (in sujūd and tashahhud) to do so, instead of relying on a chair unnecessarily.
If a person genuinely cannot sit on the floor, then performing salah on a chair is permissible.
In such a case, the chair takes the place of a column or pillar within the row of prayer (ṣaff).
Just as forming a row between two columns is allowed in exceptional circumstances, placing a chair within a row is also acceptable during necessity.
✔ Chair-based prayer is valid in case of necessity.
Avoid it unless truly needed.
Promote the correct practice within the community.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
Source: Fatāwā Amaanpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amaanpuri❖ The Answer:
Performing salah on a chair is not an ideal or commendable practice and should be avoided as much as possible.
However, if one has no other option due to a genuine excuse or medical necessity, then it is permissible.
❖ Common Observations:
Unfortunately, it has been observed that people often resort to the chair for minor discomforts, even though the same individuals are able to sit without a chair in shops or at home.
20–25 years ago, the same illnesses and excuses existed, yet such a trend was not seen in the mosques.Now, it seems the use of chairs has become widespread merely by imitation.
❖ Role of Mosque Imams:
Imams of the masājid should educate and correct people on this issue.They should encourage those who are able to sit on the floor (in sujūd and tashahhud) to do so, instead of relying on a chair unnecessarily.
❖ In Case of Necessity:
If a person genuinely cannot sit on the floor, then performing salah on a chair is permissible.
In such a case, the chair takes the place of a column or pillar within the row of prayer (ṣaff).
Just as forming a row between two columns is allowed in exceptional circumstances, placing a chair within a row is also acceptable during necessity.
❖ Conclusion:
✔ Chair-based prayer is valid in case of necessity.
Avoid it unless truly needed. Promote the correct practice within the community.وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
