by its multiplication through standing, based on the evidence that "The prayer of the one sitting is half of the prayer of the one standing" (16), and "The congregational prayer exceeds the prayer of a man alone by twenty-seven degrees" (17). This is the better view, and it is the school of al-Shafi'i.
243 - Issue; He said: (If he cannot do so sitting, then lying down)
Meaning lying on his side, and he called it "lying down" (na'iman) because he is in the posture of a sleeper. Such a naming has come from the Prophet (peace be upon him), who said: "The prayer of the one sitting is half of the prayer of the one standing, and the prayer of the one lying down is half of the prayer of the one sitting." Al-Bukhari narrated it (1) in this way. So whoever is unable to pray sitting should pray on his side, facing the qibla with his face. This is the opinion of Malik, al-Shafi'i, and Ibn al-Mundhir. Sa'id ibn al-Musayyab, al-Harith al-'Ukli, Abu Thawr, and the People of Reason (Ahl al-Ra'y) said: He should pray lying on his back, with his face and feet toward the qibla, so that his gesture of bowing/prostration is toward it, for if he prays on his side, his face when gesturing might be toward other than the qibla. We argue...
(16) Previously mentioned on page 567. (17) Recorded by al-Bukhari in: The Chapter on Prayer in the Market Mosque, from the Book of Prayer; and in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Congregational Prayer, from the Book of Adhan; and in: The Chapter on What Has Been Mentioned Regarding Markets, from the Book of Sales; and in: The Chapter on {Indeed, the recitation of dawn is witnessed}, from the Book of Tafsir. Sahih al-Bukhari 1/129, 166, 3/86, 6/108. And Muslim in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Congregational Prayer and Waiting for Prayer, from the Book of Mosques. Sahih Muslim 1/449-451, 459. And Abu Dawud in: The Chapter on What Was Said Regarding Walking to Prayer, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan Abi Dawud 1/132. And al-Tirmidhi in: The Chapter on What Was Said Regarding the Excellence of Congregation, from the Chapters on Prayer. 'Aridat al-Ahwadhi 2/15. And al-Nasa'i in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Congregational Prayer, from the Book of Prayer; and in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Congregation, from the Book of Imamate. al-Mujtaba 2/80. And Ibn Majah in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Prayer in Congregation, from the Book of Mosques. Sunan Ibn Majah 1/259. And al-Darimi in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Congregational Prayer, from the Book of Prayer. Sunan al-Darimi 1/293. And Imam Malik in: The Chapter on the Excellence of Congregational Prayer Over the Prayer of the Individual, from the Book of Congregation. al-Muwatta' 1/129. And Imam Ahmad in: al-Musnad 1/376, 382, 437, 452, 2/65, 102, 112, 233, 252, 264, 328, 396, 454, 473, 475, 486, 501, 520, 525, 3/55, 6/49. (1) Previously mentioned on page 567.
