the forbidden act. Also, because he abandoned following his Imam despite his ability to do so, he is similar to one who leaves standing while his Imam is standing. The second view is that it is valid, because a group prayed behind the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) while standing, and he did not command them to repeat it. Based on this, the command is interpreted as one of recommendation. Furthermore, because he [underwent the hardship of standing] (17) in a situation where he is permitted to sit, it is similar to a sick person who undergoes the hardship of standing. It is possible that the prayer of one ignorant of the obligation to sit is valid, while that of one knowledgeable of it is not, similar to our statement regarding the one who performs bowing (ruku') behind the row. As for the one upon whom standing is mandatory but he sits, his prayer is not valid because he has abandoned a pillar he is able to perform.

Section: A person sitting should not lead those who are able to stand in prayer except under two conditions: The first is that he be the Imam of the neighborhood (local community). Ahmad specified this, saying: This is for the Imam of the neighborhood, because there is no need for them to put forward one incapable of standing if he is not the regular (ratib) Imam. Thus, one does not bear the burden of dropping a pillar in the prayer without need, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), when he did that, was the regular Imam. The second is that his illness is one from which recovery is hoped; for taking on a chronically ill person, or one whose ability to stand is not expected, as a regular Imam leads to them abandoning standing permanently, and there is no need for that. Also, because the basis for this is the action of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and it was expected that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would recover.

261 - Issue; he said: (If he begins the prayer with them standing, then becomes ill and sits, they should follow him behind him standing.)

It was only like that because when Abu Bakr began the prayer with them standing, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) arrived and completed the prayer with them while sitting, they completed it standing and did not sit. And because standing is the default, whoever begins with it in the prayer is bound by it throughout if he is able, just like the case of the dispute regarding the prayer of the resident (muqim)—he is bound to complete it even if that which permits shortening arises during it.