The Prayer of the Paralyzed
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Fatwa No. ( 19821 )
Q: An elderly man has been afflicted with an illness that is closest to paralysis, so he cannot stand or walk except with the help of his relatives. He also has difficulty in the articulation of his tongue. He is currently combining the two prayers in one time because performing wudu' for each prayer is burdensome for him. He also does not move his tongue in reciting some of the verses of the Qur'an and the tasbih in prayer. The question: Is his action valid? What is obligatory for him regarding the Qur'an and dhikr in prayer and after it? What is his status regarding not moving his tongue in some of that? And what is the manner of prayer for those with excuses ? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you.
A : It is obligatory for the person mentioned to pray according to his ability; because Allah the Exalted said:[At-Taghabun 64:16]. If he is able to purify himself with water, even with assistance, it is obligatory for him to do so. Otherwise, he performs tayammum with dust. If he is able to stand in prayer, bow, and prostrate, it is obligatory for him to do so. Otherwise, he prays sitting and indicates his bowing and prostration, making his prostration lower than his bowing. He recites the Qur'an according to his ability. The obligatory part of that is reciting al-Fatihah, and what is added to al-Fatihah in the first and second rak'ahs of Zuhr, 'Asr, Maghrib, and 'Isha' is a sunnah. If he is able to pray each prayer in its time
without great hardship, it is obligatory for him to do so. Otherwise, it is permissible for him to combine Zuhr and 'Asr in the time of one of them, and Maghrib and 'Isha' in the time of one of them. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: An elderly man has been afflicted with an illness that is closest to paralysis, so he cannot stand or walk except with the help of his relatives. He also has difficulty in the articulation of his tongue. He is currently combining the two prayers in one time because performing wudu' for each prayer is burdensome for him. He also does not move his tongue in reciting some of the verses of the Qur'an and the tasbih in prayer. The question: Is his action valid? What is obligatory for him regarding the Qur'an and dhikr in prayer and after it? What is his status regarding not moving his tongue in some of that? And what is the manner of prayer for those with excuses ? Please issue a ruling, may Allah reward you.
A : It is obligatory for the person mentioned to pray according to his ability; because Allah the Exalted said:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْwithout great hardship, it is obligatory for him to do so. Otherwise, it is permissible for him to combine Zuhr and 'Asr in the time of one of them, and Maghrib and 'Isha' in the time of one of them. 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.