He has a final question, saying: We see many people that when one of them is put to sleep in the hospital and undergoes an operation, even if it is a minor one, they leave off the prayer for as long as they remain in the hospital.
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The questioner : He has a final question, saying: We see many people that when one of them is put to sleep in the hospital and undergoes an operation, even if it is a minor one, they leave off the prayer for as long as they remain in the hospital. Their excuse is that they are unable to perform wudu' and that there are impurities on their body, either on the garment or on the skin. Are they excused for this? And what is your guidance for our brothers who are unaware of the ruling in this matter? May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : This action is ignorance and error. It is obligatory for the believer to establish the prayer at its time to the best of his ability. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Imran ibn al-Husayn:Sunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani) And Allah the Exalted said in the Qur'an: [An-Nisa 4:43] So Allah provided a substitute for the sick person who is unable to use water, which is tayammum. Likewise, regarding the prayer, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) established stages for it: Sunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani) It is obligatory for the sick person to perform wudu' first. If he is unable to do so, he performs tayammum. Then it is obligatory for him to pray standing. If he is unable to do so, he prays sitting, gesturing for the bowing and prostration, and making the prostration lower than the bowing if he is unable to prostrate. If he is able to prostrate, he prostrates. If he is unable to pray sitting, he prays on his side, gesturing for the bowing and prostration. If he is unable to move at all, but his heart is with him, he intends the prayer, intends the actions, and speaks the words. For example, he says the takbir and recites al-Fatihah. When he reaches the bowing, he intends that he has bowed and says: Allahu Akbar, and says: Subhana Rabbi al-'Azeem. Then he says: Sami' Allahu li man hamidah, and intends the rising. And so on for the rest of the actions. It is not permissible for him to delay the prayer, even if it is stipulated that there is impurity on his body, or on his garment, or on the bed beneath him, and he is unable to remove it. In that case, it does not harm him; he prays according to his condition, based on His saying (Glorified and Exalted is He): [At-Taghabun 64:16] And we hope that the Ministry of Health, which has shown its activity in many matters, will draw the attention of patients to this issue by selecting a man to be a guide for them in what is obligatory for them in their prayer and other matters, so that patients are treated for the diseases of their bodies and the diseases of their deeds and hearts.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with the best reward.
The Shaykh : This action is ignorance and error. It is obligatory for the believer to establish the prayer at its time to the best of his ability. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Imran ibn al-Husayn:
offer prayer in standing condition; if you are unable to do so, then in sitting condition: if you are then at your side
صل قائماً، فإن لم تستطع فقاعداً، فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبAnd if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and find no water, then seek clean earth
وَإِنْ كُنتُمْ مَرْضَى أَوْ عَلَى سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِنْكُمْ مِنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُواoffer prayer in standing condition; if you are unable to do so, then in sitting condition: if you are then at your side
صل قائما فإن لم تستطع فقاعدا فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبSo fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْThe questioner : May Allah reward you with the best reward.