The Office of the Supreme Leader

Canonic Prayer Modified to Accommodate Worshipper with Knee Pain

Q.| If the worshipper is able to perform the canonic prayer while standing up, as required by its proper form, but suffers from knee problems and thus getting up from a seated position puts a lot of strain on his knees, is he permitted to perform his canonic prayers while seated on a chair?
A.| If using a prop such as a stick or a cane enables the worshipper to stand up without fearing any harm or injury to his knees, he must do so, and he is not permitted to perform his canonic prayers while seated on a chair. If, however, the strain that standing up causes to his knees cannot be alleviated by the use of a prop, he must start his canonic prayer in the upright position, as required by the standard form of the prayer, and then at any point during the prayer when he feels that standing up would harm his knees, he may continue his prayer in the sitting position.
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