the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): "If he is unable, then on his side." He did not say: "If he is unable, then lying on his back." This is because he faces the qibla when he is on his side, but he does not face it when he is on his back; rather, he faces the sky. It is for this reason that the deceased is placed in his grave on his side [with the intention of orienting him] (2) toward the qibla. Regarding their claim that his face during the gesture would be toward other than the qibla, we say: Facing the qibla by the healthy person does not occur during the bowing (ruku') with his face, nor during the prostration; rather, it is toward the ground. Therefore, it is not required for the sick person (3) to face the qibla in both of these positions either. Once this is established, it is recommended that he prays on his right side; if he prays on his left side, it is permissible, for (4) the Prophet (peace be upon him) did not specify one side in particular, and because he faces the qibla on whichever side he is. If he prays on his back while the possibility of praying on his side exists, the apparent meaning of Ahmad's words is that it is valid, because it is a type of facing the qibla, and for this reason, the deceased is oriented in this way at the time of death. However, the evidence dictates that it is not valid because he violated the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his saying: "Then on his side." Furthermore, (5) shifting him to lying on his back when he is incapable of praying on his side demonstrates (6) that it is not permissible while it is possible to pray on his side, and also because he abandoned facing the qibla when it was possible for him to do so. If he is incapable of praying on his side, he shall pray lying on his back, due to the report and because he is incapable of praying on his side, so it falls away, just like standing and sitting.

Section: If he has an eye ailment, and reliable medical scholars say: "If you pray lying on your back, your treatment will be possible," then the Qadi said: The analogy of the school is that this is permissible. This is the opinion of Jabir ibn Zayd, al-Thawri, and Abu Hanifa. 'Ubayd Allah ibn 'Abd Allah ibn 'Utbah and Abu...