Question: My sister has a condition called fibromyalgia, which prevents her from making the correct movements during Takbīr al-Tahrīmah, Qiyām, Rukū’, Qawmah, Sajdah, Djalsah, and Qa‘dah without damaging her body. This has been confirmed by the rheumatologist and physiotherapists. • Takbīr al-Tahrīmah: She can only perform this in the manner of a man. • Qiyām: About 50% of the time, she is able to perform this correctly, but often she does it in the manner of a man. • Rukū’: She can bend her upper back, but she cannot bend her knees. Therefore, she keeps her legs straight, like men do. • Sajdah: It is impossible for her to perform this as a woman, so she does it entirely as a man. • Qa‘dah: She can neither sit in the manner of a woman nor in the manner of a man, so she adopts an alternative sitting position (the “wee-sit”). Is it allowed for her to perform her prayer in this way?
ANSWER :
Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !
In the presence of a valid excuse, it is permissible for a woman to perform Salah in any manner that is possible including ruku, sajdah etc. However, the women should refrain from adopting the specific postures prescribed for men during qiyam and similar positions as much as possible, and instead adopt the most modest and concealing manner feasible.
