Leaving off prayer due to severe illness
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Fatwa number ( 14280 )
Q: I am thirty-eight years old, and I have been suffering from joint disease (rheumatism) since 1962 CE, that is, since I was ten years old. I treated this illness extensively in hospitals, but I did not recover from it; rather, the illness continued to worsen and progress, moving from one organ to another. In 1971, I stopped treatment entirely due to difficult and harsh circumstances and reasons beyond my control. I remained at home without treatment, suffering from this illness until 1980, and up to this day, I am lying in bed, unable to serve myself. That is, I cannot move my hands to the right or left, or lift them. In fact, everything is difficult for me, to the point that I cannot even eat or drink with my own hands. Therefore, I ask you to read my letter and answer these questions regarding prayer in detail: 1. Given my condition, where I have become unable to perform ghusl (full ritual bath) or tayammum (dry ablution), meaning I am completely incapable of both forms of purification, I have heard a statement saying that prayer does not drop off a person under any circumstances. Is this statement correct? If this statement is correct, how do I pray while in the condition I have described to you? I am very afraid if I do not pray, and prayer remains a debt in my liability. 2. I have also heard a second statement saying: that the one who cannot perform ghusl or tayammum (the one who lacks both purifications) is permitted to pray without purification,
I have suffered from joint problems (rheumatism) since 1962, when I was ten years old. I treated this illness extensively in hospitals, but I did not recover; rather, the disease continued to worsen and progress, moving from one organ to another. In 1971, I stopped treatment entirely due to difficult and harsh circumstances and reasons beyond my control. I remained at home without treatment, suffering from this illness until 1980, and to this day I am confined to my bed, unable to serve myself. That is, I cannot move my hands to the right or left, or lift them. In fact, everything has become difficult for me, to the point that I cannot even eat or drink with my own hands. Therefore, I ask you to read my letter and answer these questions regarding prayer in detail: 1. Given my condition, where I have become unable to perform ghusl (the full ritual bath) or tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth)—meaning I am completely incapable of both forms of purification—I have heard a statement saying that prayer does not drop off a person under any circumstances. Is this statement correct? If it is correct, how do I pray while in the condition I have described to you? I am very afraid if I do not pray, lest prayer remain a debt in my liability. 2. I have also heard a second statement saying: the one who is unable to perform ghusl or tayammum (one who has lost both means of purification) is permitted to pray without purification.
It is also said: that prayer drops off him. Is this statement correct? Please be aware that I am currently praying without purification, acting on this statement. Is my prayer valid? Please issue a ruling for us, may Allah have mercy on you. What is the solution? Because I have fallen into great distress and confusion regarding my affairs, and I do not know how to proceed with the matter of prayer. Note: I am not married, and there is no one I can rely on to purify me. Please, respected scholars, issue a ruling for us on this matter, and explain the answer with precision and detail. Make it easy for me and do not make it difficult. If it is possible, I ask you to reply to this letter in writing. May Allah reward you with good for us and for Islam. And may peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
A: Prayer is obligatory upon the Muslim and does not drop off him as long as his intellect remains. If he is unable to use water or earth, purification drops off him, and prayer becomes obligatory upon him at its time according to his ability. We ask Allah for your healing and well-being in the near future. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I am thirty-eight years old, and I have been suffering from joint disease (rheumatism) since 1962 CE, that is, since I was ten years old. I treated this illness extensively in hospitals, but I did not recover from it; rather, the illness continued to worsen and progress, moving from one organ to another. In 1971, I stopped treatment entirely due to difficult and harsh circumstances and reasons beyond my control. I remained at home without treatment, suffering from this illness until 1980, and up to this day, I am lying in bed, unable to serve myself. That is, I cannot move my hands to the right or left, or lift them. In fact, everything is difficult for me, to the point that I cannot even eat or drink with my own hands. Therefore, I ask you to read my letter and answer these questions regarding prayer in detail: 1. Given my condition, where I have become unable to perform ghusl (full ritual bath) or tayammum (dry ablution), meaning I am completely incapable of both forms of purification, I have heard a statement saying that prayer does not drop off a person under any circumstances. Is this statement correct? If this statement is correct, how do I pray while in the condition I have described to you? I am very afraid if I do not pray, and prayer remains a debt in my liability. 2. I have also heard a second statement saying: that the one who cannot perform ghusl or tayammum (the one who lacks both purifications) is permitted to pray without purification,
I have suffered from joint problems (rheumatism) since 1962, when I was ten years old. I treated this illness extensively in hospitals, but I did not recover; rather, the disease continued to worsen and progress, moving from one organ to another. In 1971, I stopped treatment entirely due to difficult and harsh circumstances and reasons beyond my control. I remained at home without treatment, suffering from this illness until 1980, and to this day I am confined to my bed, unable to serve myself. That is, I cannot move my hands to the right or left, or lift them. In fact, everything has become difficult for me, to the point that I cannot even eat or drink with my own hands. Therefore, I ask you to read my letter and answer these questions regarding prayer in detail: 1. Given my condition, where I have become unable to perform ghusl (the full ritual bath) or tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth)—meaning I am completely incapable of both forms of purification—I have heard a statement saying that prayer does not drop off a person under any circumstances. Is this statement correct? If it is correct, how do I pray while in the condition I have described to you? I am very afraid if I do not pray, lest prayer remain a debt in my liability. 2. I have also heard a second statement saying: the one who is unable to perform ghusl or tayammum (one who has lost both means of purification) is permitted to pray without purification.
It is also said: that prayer drops off him. Is this statement correct? Please be aware that I am currently praying without purification, acting on this statement. Is my prayer valid? Please issue a ruling for us, may Allah have mercy on you. What is the solution? Because I have fallen into great distress and confusion regarding my affairs, and I do not know how to proceed with the matter of prayer. Note: I am not married, and there is no one I can rely on to purify me. Please, respected scholars, issue a ruling for us on this matter, and explain the answer with precision and detail. Make it easy for me and do not make it difficult. If it is possible, I ask you to reply to this letter in writing. May Allah reward you with good for us and for Islam. And may peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings.
A: Prayer is obligatory upon the Muslim and does not drop off him as long as his intellect remains. If he is unable to use water or earth, purification drops off him, and prayer becomes obligatory upon him at its time according to his ability. We ask Allah for your healing and well-being in the near future. And 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.