An elderly woman who is unable to do anything: is she obligated to feed people?
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Fatwa number ( 19577 )
Q: My mother suffers from a disease (atrophy of brain cells) which causes forgetfulness and an inability to recognize relatives and times, such as the month of Ramadan. In last Ramadan, she did not fast. In addition, her physical constitution is weak because she is unable to eat enough to enable her to continue fasting. Is fasting obligatory upon her? What is obligatory upon her regarding last Ramadan, which she did not fast? And what is obligatory upon her regarding prayer, given that she is unable to know the times and the number of rak'ahs, but she prays according to her knowledge? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you.
A: If the condition of the woman mentioned is as described in the question, then there is no fasting upon her and no prayer; because, in the state described, the pen is lifted from her; due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And whoever’s mind is altered such that he does not control his prayer or fasting, his ruling is the ruling of the insane person.
And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: My mother suffers from a disease (atrophy of brain cells) which causes forgetfulness and an inability to recognize relatives and times, such as the month of Ramadan. In last Ramadan, she did not fast. In addition, her physical constitution is weak because she is unable to eat enough to enable her to continue fasting. Is fasting obligatory upon her? What is obligatory upon her regarding last Ramadan, which she did not fast? And what is obligatory upon her regarding prayer, given that she is unable to know the times and the number of rak'ahs, but she prays according to her knowledge? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you.
A: If the condition of the woman mentioned is as described in the question, then there is no fasting upon her and no prayer; because, in the state described, the pen is lifted from her; due to the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
The pen is lifted from three: the insane person until he regains consciousness, the sleeping person until he wakes up, and the child until he reaches puberty.
رفع القلم عن ثلاثة: المجنون حتى يفيق والنائم حتى يستيقظ والصغير حتى يحتلمAnd success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.