Ruling on extending the period of gesturing after surgery
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
Honorable Shaykh, the questioner says: A person had surgery on his eyes for glaucoma or cataracts, and the doctor specified a certain period during which he must not bow and prostrate in the usual manner, but rather bow and prostrate while sitting. Then he was told that this period is not sufficient, but extends to twice as long or more, according to the instructions of some hospitals. What is your opinion? Is it permissible for him to extend this period to protect his eyes?
Answer:
If the doctors say that this period needs to be increased, then he acts accordingly and continues to bow and prostrate by gesturing. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Yes.
Honorable Shaykh, the questioner says: A person had surgery on his eyes for glaucoma or cataracts, and the doctor specified a certain period during which he must not bow and prostrate in the usual manner, but rather bow and prostrate while sitting. Then he was told that this period is not sufficient, but extends to twice as long or more, according to the instructions of some hospitals. What is your opinion? Is it permissible for him to extend this period to protect his eyes?
Answer:
If the doctors say that this period needs to be increased, then he acts accordingly and continues to bow and prostrate by gesturing. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The sick person prays standing, and if he cannot, then sitting, and if he cannot, then on his side, and he gestures with his head, and makes his prostration lower than his bowing.
يصلي المريض قائما فإن لم يستطع، وقاعدا فإن لم يستطع فعلى جنب، ويومئ برأسه إيماء، ويجعل سجوده أخفض من ركوعه.
Source
نور على الدرب - الفوزان - 02/282 — archive.org (8:56)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.