Q 3: Is it permissible for a sick person and the like to shorten a four-Rak‘ah Salah (Prayer consisting of four units) just as the case of a traveler? How should a sick person offer Salah?

A: Only a traveler is permitted to shorten Salah. It is not permissible for a patient to shorten Salah; rather, they should offer Salah in full in a manner that suits their condition. If they cannot stand during Salah, they can offer Salah sitting and make gestures with their head for Ruku‘ (bowing). If they cannot perform Sujud (prostration) on the ground, they should make gestures for Sujud, but they must be lower than those for their Ruku‘. If they cannot offer Salah in a sitting posture, they can lie on their side and direct their face to the Qiblah (direction faced for Prayer towards the Ka‘bah). If this is not possible, they can lie on their back, direct their feet to the Qiblah, and make gestures with their head for Ruku‘ and Sujud. Moreover, a sick person can combine the two Salahs; by combining, for example, the Zhuhr (Noon) and ‘Asr (Afternoon) Prayers at the time of one of them or the Maghrib (Sunset) and ‘Isha’ (Night) Prayers at the time of one of them, if they need to do so. (Part No. 6; Page No. 359) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.