His father passed away and he was ignorant of some matters of the religion; does he pray on his behalf for what he missed?
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Fatwa number ( 19937 )
Q: My father passed away after suffering from an illness for two years. His illness prevented him from speaking and moving, and he was ignorant of some matters of the religion due to his advanced age. Is it permissible for me to pray some or all of the obligatory prayers on his behalf? Is it permissible for me to give charity on his behalf from time to time? Is it permissible for me to perform Hajj or 'Umrah on his behalf, given that he had previously performed both Hajj and 'Umrah? In conclusion, I repeat my request for assistance and guidance toward the path of good. May Allah prolong your life and always envelop you in His kindness; He is the All-Hearing, the Responsive.
A: If your father lost consciousness and did not understand anything during his illness, then the prayer is dropped from him, and he is not accountable in this state; because the basis of accountability for prayer is intellect, and that had departed from him. However, if his consciousness and intellect did not depart from him, but he left off the prayer out of ignorance that it is obligatory for someone like him to the extent of his ability, then perhaps Allah will forgive him and excuse him for that ignorance and the lack of anyone to explain the ruling of the Shari'ah to him until he died - may Allah have mercy on him and forgive him. In both cases, it is not permissible for you to pray any of the prayers on behalf of your father; because no one prays on behalf of another, and the principle is that prayer does not admit of delegation. As for your performing Hajj and 'Umrah on behalf of your father, that is an act of dutifulness to him and kindness toward him. You should also give charity on his behalf from time to time, make du'a' for him, seek forgiveness for him, maintain ties with his relatives and friends, and be kind to them. Indeed, that is part of being dutiful to your father after his death. You will have reward and great recompense, if Allah wills, for what you expend in that regard. 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 after suffering from an illness for two years. His illness prevented him from speaking and moving, and he was ignorant of some matters of the religion due to his advanced age. Is it permissible for me to pray some or all of the obligatory prayers on his behalf? Is it permissible for me to give charity on his behalf from time to time? Is it permissible for me to perform Hajj or 'Umrah on his behalf, given that he had previously performed both Hajj and 'Umrah? In conclusion, I repeat my request for assistance and guidance toward the path of good. May Allah prolong your life and always envelop you in His kindness; He is the All-Hearing, the Responsive.
A: If your father lost consciousness and did not understand anything during his illness, then the prayer is dropped from him, and he is not accountable in this state; because the basis of accountability for prayer is intellect, and that had departed from him. However, if his consciousness and intellect did not depart from him, but he left off the prayer out of ignorance that it is obligatory for someone like him to the extent of his ability, then perhaps Allah will forgive him and excuse him for that ignorance and the lack of anyone to explain the ruling of the Shari'ah to him until he died - may Allah have mercy on him and forgive him. In both cases, it is not permissible for you to pray any of the prayers on behalf of your father; because no one prays on behalf of another, and the principle is that prayer does not admit of delegation. As for your performing Hajj and 'Umrah on behalf of your father, that is an act of dutifulness to him and kindness toward him. You should also give charity on his behalf from time to time, make du'a' for him, seek forgiveness for him, maintain ties with his relatives and friends, and be kind to them. Indeed, that is part of being dutiful to your father after his death. You will have reward and great recompense, if Allah wills, for what you expend in that regard. 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.