Leaving off prayer due to severe illness, then passing away
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Fatwa number ( 17898 )
Q: My father passed away from a terminal illness. During his illness, which did not allow him much time, he left off prayer and did not pray, even though he was not unconscious. However, he was unable to perform wudu, stand, or even walk. Before his death, and indeed throughout his life, he did not pray except at home, and he did not pray in congregation in the mosque except on the two Eids and Jumu'ah. He would rush through his prayers, not establishing the ruku' or sujud properly. The question is: Should we make du'a for him, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and perform Hajj for him?
A : It is obligatory for the sick person to perform prayer according to his condition, as long as his mind is
with him. Your father’s leaving off prayer during his illness was due to his ignorance, so perhaps Allah will forgive him. This is a matter in which many people fall, hoping to perform prayer with purity after the illness, and feeling awkward about praying without purity or praying while in a state of impurity. Likewise, his negligence regarding prayer in congregation and the like. We hope that Allah will forgive him. So make du'a for your father, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and perform Hajj for him; perhaps Allah will overlook his sins. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: My father passed away from a terminal illness. During his illness, which did not allow him much time, he left off prayer and did not pray, even though he was not unconscious. However, he was unable to perform wudu, stand, or even walk. Before his death, and indeed throughout his life, he did not pray except at home, and he did not pray in congregation in the mosque except on the two Eids and Jumu'ah. He would rush through his prayers, not establishing the ruku' or sujud properly. The question is: Should we make du'a for him, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and perform Hajj for him?
A : It is obligatory for the sick person to perform prayer according to his condition, as long as his mind is
with him. Your father’s leaving off prayer during his illness was due to his ignorance, so perhaps Allah will forgive him. This is a matter in which many people fall, hoping to perform prayer with purity after the illness, and feeling awkward about praying without purity or praying while in a state of impurity. Likewise, his negligence regarding prayer in congregation and the like. We hope that Allah will forgive him. So make du'a for your father, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and perform Hajj for him; perhaps Allah will overlook his sins. 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.