Is it permissible to perform the obligatory prayer (Salat) while mounted on an animal due to illness?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
There are two reported opinions concerning praying while mounted due to illness. The first opinion permits it, chosen by Abu Bakr. This permission is analogized because the hardship (mashaqqah) of dismounting due to illness is considered greater than the hardship of dismounting due to rain; thus, if rain permits praying on the mount, illness has a greater right to permit it.
Supporting text
The second opinion prohibits praying mounted due to illness. Ahmad supported this view, citing that Ibn Umar used to have his sick people dismount. Furthermore, if a person is capable of performing prostration (Sujud), the prayer should not be abandoned, unlike in cases of rain. The difference is that dismounting in rain soils clothes and makes proper prayer difficult, whereas the sick person's difficulty lies in the act of dismounting itself, not necessarily in praying on the ground, as dismounting might cause greater harm, such as separating from a caravan, being unable to remount, or worsening the illness.