Is it permissible to sit and perform the Sunnah/Nafl Salaah?

· 12 Rabiʻ II 1443 AH1 min readEnglish

Question

Is it permissible to sit and perform the Sunnah Salaah? If I start the Sunnahs standing, can I finish it sitting?

Answer

It is permissible to perform all the Sunnahs (Sunnah-Muakkadah – Sunnah Ghair-Muakkadah) and all Nafl Salaahs whilst sitting down (on the ground or on the chair) even if one has the ability to stand and perform the Sunnah and Nafl Salaahs. It is also permissible to start the Sunnahs of Salaah standing and complete it after sitting down during Salaah.

However, by sitting and performing the Sunnahs of Salaah, one will receive half the reward of a person standing and performing Salaah unless one is sitting and performing Salaah due to a valid reason. If one sits and performs the Sunnahs of Salaah due a valid reason i.e. he/she is unable to perform the Sajdahs of Salaah, then one will receive the full reward like one standing and performing Salaah. (Tahtaawi Ala Maraaqil Falaah 1/402/403)

Note: In the case of the Five Fardh (obligatory) Salaahs, it will not be permissible to perform them whilst sitting down without a valid reason.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Answered by
Mufti Ismaeel Bassa, Mufti Moosa Salie
Questions about this ruling, answered only from the archive with sources.

Where scholars differ, it’s safer to take the more cautious view.

Fatawa SA is an independent, read-only index of fatawa already published by Jamiatul Ulama KZN. It is not a fatwa service. For your own situation, please ask a Mufti. Report an issue

For corrections or mistakes, please email us at fatawasa786@gmail.com.

People also ask

Which sunnah salaah are emphasised (muakkadah)?

“Sunnah Salaah should not be unduly missed during a journey. However, if the Musaafir is in a hurry then, apart from the Sunnah of Fajr, it will be permissible for him to omit the other Sunnah Salaahs.”

Azaadville · 533 fatawa from 6 Darul Iftas on this

What the Darul Iftas say