Is it permissible to pray on the tables found in all mosques? When one wants to prostrate, should they place their hands and forehead on the table, or should they gesture instead?
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1 Answer
Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.
Sayyid Sistani:
If someone is able to stand but is unable to bow or prostrate, they have two options:
The first option is to pray while standing and gesture for bowing and prostration. It is strongly recommended that the gesture for prostration be lower than that for bowing (the gesture means slightly bending the head down). It is also recommended to place something on the forehead and other places of prostration, although it is not obligatory.
The second option is to sit on a chair during prostration and place their forehead on something suitable for prostration on the table in front of them.
Then, they should perform the Tashahhud and Tasleem while sitting on the ground. If they are unable to sit on the ground, it is strongly recommended that they sit on a chair or similar.
Source: Minhaj al-Salihin, Vol. 1, Issue: 591, Issue: 649 + Official website: 1, 2.
Sayyid Khamenei:
If someone is able to stand but cannot bow or prostrate, they should pray standing and then bow while sitting, using any possible means, even sitting on a chair. The same applies to prostration; they should sit on the chair, place the table in front of them, and prostrate on it.
It is necessary to observe the places of prostration as much as possible, meaning they should place the clay and the palms of their hands on the table or something similar, with the tips of their big toes on the ground. Therefore, if they lift the clay and place it on their forehead, it is not valid; however, it is not necessary to place the knees on anything.
The option to gesture only arises if one is completely unable to bow or prostrate, even from a sitting position. In that case, they should gesture for prostration with their head, and it is strongly recommended to raise the prostration to the forehead with their hand.
Source: Official website: 1, 2, 3 + Selected rulings from the Jurisprudence of the Guardian, p. 57.