It was reported in a Hadeeth that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, forbade a man from putting on his sandals while standing. Is it impermissible for the person to put on his shoes while standing or is it only disliked? Did any scholar state that it is impermissible? What if a person cannot find a place to sit down? Should he sit on the floor?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Abu Hurayrah reported that it is disliked for a man to put on his sandals while standing. However, scholars explained the rationale for it being disliked is the fear of suffering difficulty and hardship. This was highlighted by ‘Abdur-Razzaq as he said "It is disliked to put on shoes while standing so as to avoid hardship." [Al-Musannaf]

Ibn Muflih reported the following on the authority of Imaam Ahmad "There is no evidence regarding (the impermissibility of) putting on shoes while standing. Abu Muhammad Al-Khallal reported the following on the authority of ‘Aa'ishah 'the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to put on his sandals while standing or sitting down.'" [Al-Adab Ash-Shar‘iyyah]

From what we have mentioned above, it is clear that there is toleration in this matter and that a Muslim may put on his shoes while standing even when he finds a place to sit to put on his shoes.

Allaah Knows best.