20/18. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 1649 — Sitting Prayer in Old Age
What is done when one begins the prayer standing and mentioning the differences with those who reported from 'Aisha concerning it
The Prophet’s Sitting Prayer in Old Age
Sunan an-Nasai : 1649
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 1649
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى جَالِسًا حَتَّى دَخَلَ فِي السِّنِّ فَكَانَ يُصَلِّي وَهُوَ جَالِسٌ يَقْرَأُ فَإِذَا غَبَرَ مِنَ السُّورَةِ ثَلاَثُونَ أَوْ أَرْبَعُونَ آيَةً قَامَ فَقَرَأَ بِهَا ثُمَّ رَكَعَ .
A'isha Narrated from:
I never saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) pray sitting down until he grew old. Then he would pray sitting down and when there were thirty or forty verses left, he would stand up and recite them, then bow.
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 1649In-book reference : Book 20, Hadith 52English translation : Vol. 2, Book 20, Hadith 1650
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 1649
This Hadith about praying sitting in old age gives a careful observation from Aishah. She said she never saw the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) pray sitting down until he grew old. Then he would pray sitting and recite. When thirty or forty verses remained from the surah, he would stand, recite those verses, and then bow. The text shows that sitting prayer became part of his practice later in life. It also shows that even when sitting, he still stood before bowing in this described pattern. The Hadith is especially helpful for people searching for seated voluntary prayer and how the Prophet prayed as he became older.
What we learn from this hadith
- Aishah linked this sitting prayer to the Prophet’s old age.
- He recited while sitting and stood near the end of the surah.
- The report shows care in describing prayer posture.
- Voluntary prayer can include sitting when there is a need or condition.
