The Prayer of the Incapable and the Mentally Ill
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Fatwa number ( 18397 )
I am presenting this to your eminence. I am the director of the Social Care Home in Makkah al-Mukarramah, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Labor’s Department of Social Affairs and is designated to receive elderly people who have no one to support them. In this home, with its male and female sections, there are approximately one hundred and fifty cases. Certain matters concerning them have arisen, and we wish to receive answers to some of these issues, given that we are responsible for them due to their varying circumstances. How should they perform their prayers? They fall into two categories: those with mental illnesses and the elderly who are not aware of their surroundings, and some of them are ill and cannot move. Please advise us, may Allah reward you with good.
After the Committee studied the inquiry, it responded as follows: For any of these individuals who is of sound mind, prayer is obligatory in whatever manner he is able to perform it. If he can stand, he prays standing. If he cannot stand, he prays sitting. If he cannot sit, he prays on his side. If he cannot do that, he prays lying on his back, and he indicates the bowing and prostration with his head, along with the intention. This is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of 'Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both). And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
I am presenting this to your eminence. I am the director of the Social Care Home in Makkah al-Mukarramah, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Labor’s Department of Social Affairs and is designated to receive elderly people who have no one to support them. In this home, with its male and female sections, there are approximately one hundred and fifty cases. Certain matters concerning them have arisen, and we wish to receive answers to some of these issues, given that we are responsible for them due to their varying circumstances. How should they perform their prayers? They fall into two categories: those with mental illnesses and the elderly who are not aware of their surroundings, and some of them are ill and cannot move. Please advise us, may Allah reward you with good.
After the Committee studied the inquiry, it responded as follows: For any of these individuals who is of sound mind, prayer is obligatory in whatever manner he is able to perform it. If he can stand, he prays standing. If he cannot stand, he prays sitting. If he cannot sit, he prays on his side. If he cannot do that, he prays lying on his back, and he indicates the bowing and prostration with his head, along with the intention. This is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in the hadith of 'Imran ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both). 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.