What should one do who is unable to perform wudu' in the required manner due to old age?
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Fatwa number ( 11502 )
Q: I have a father who is approximately seventy or eighty years old, and he is suffering from several illnesses, which are: (1) bronchial asthma in the lungs. (2) blood sugar. (3) inflammation of the nerves and the joints of the spine. (4) He is bedridden and has been unable to get up from the bed for three years. I ask you about the following: 1 - That if he fasts and the middle of the day comes, he is unable to continue the fast, so he breaks it and is unable to do so, what should he do regarding fasting in Ramadan? 2 - He is unable to perform wudu' in the required manner because he is unable to sit or stand up, so what should he do if he wants to pray? 3 - His clothes may not be free from some impurity, such as drops of urine or remnants of feces, because sometimes urine or feces come out of him without him being aware of it. I hope for a response to my questions?
A: All praise is due to Allah alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, and his Companions. As for what follows: First: If your father is unable to fast because of old age or an illness that is not expected to end, he should break his fast and feed one poor person for every day, giving half a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of
wheat, dates, rice, or the like of the country's staple food. Second: If your father is unable to perform wudu' by himself or with someone assisting him, then he performs tayammum with pure earth. Third: If he cannot control his urine, or if he is unable to change his impure clothes, then he prays according to his ability, and what befalls him of impurity is excused, and he performs tayammum for every prayer. However, if he is able to wash the impurity from his garment or body by himself or by someone else, or to replace it with a pure garment at the time of prayer, then he is obligated to do so; because of the saying of Allah the Exalted:[At-Taghabun 64:16] . And success is from Allah, and may Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I have a father who is approximately seventy or eighty years old, and he is suffering from several illnesses, which are: (1) bronchial asthma in the lungs. (2) blood sugar. (3) inflammation of the nerves and the joints of the spine. (4) He is bedridden and has been unable to get up from the bed for three years. I ask you about the following: 1 - That if he fasts and the middle of the day comes, he is unable to continue the fast, so he breaks it and is unable to do so, what should he do regarding fasting in Ramadan? 2 - He is unable to perform wudu' in the required manner because he is unable to sit or stand up, so what should he do if he wants to pray? 3 - His clothes may not be free from some impurity, such as drops of urine or remnants of feces, because sometimes urine or feces come out of him without him being aware of it. I hope for a response to my questions?
A: All praise is due to Allah alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family, and his Companions. As for what follows: First: If your father is unable to fast because of old age or an illness that is not expected to end, he should break his fast and feed one poor person for every day, giving half a sa' (a dry measure of about 3 kg) of
wheat, dates, rice, or the like of the country's staple food. Second: If your father is unable to perform wudu' by himself or with someone assisting him, then he performs tayammum with pure earth. Third: If he cannot control his urine, or if he is unable to change his impure clothes, then he prays according to his ability, and what befalls him of impurity is excused, and he performs tayammum for every prayer. However, if he is able to wash the impurity from his garment or body by himself or by someone else, or to replace it with a pure garment at the time of prayer, then he is obligated to do so; because of the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.