The prayer of one who is unable and has lost his consciousness
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Fatwa number ( 12529 )
Q: My father is over eighty years old, and three years ago he was struck by a stroke; which confined him to his bed until he began praying while in bed. Then his illness worsened until he was unable to stand for wudu', and through my effort I told him to perform tayammum with earth, so I brought him a container with earth in it. Is this permissible? Then his illness worsened until he lost consciousness; which caused him to forget what he was doing, and he has not prayed for about a year. Is the prayer dropped from him in this state? He cannot sit for wudu' or move except with the help of others, and he has lost consciousness, to the point that he does not know who is sitting in front of him or speaking in front of him, and his tongue has become completely unable to speak. For about a week now, he does not eat or drink, and he sleeps a lot. What
is the ruling on prayer regarding him? And is it permissible for me to pray on his behalf? I ask for the answer so I know how to deal with my father, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: First: Your father using earth for purification due to his inability to use water: there is no blame on him for that. Second: If your father, despite the severity of his illness, loses consciousness and does not comprehend anything: then the prayer is dropped from him; because the basis of obligation for prayer is intellect. Third: 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 prayer does not admit of delegation at all. However, you should make du'a' for your father, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and be kind to him in his life and after his death. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: My father is over eighty years old, and three years ago he was struck by a stroke; which confined him to his bed until he began praying while in bed. Then his illness worsened until he was unable to stand for wudu', and through my effort I told him to perform tayammum with earth, so I brought him a container with earth in it. Is this permissible? Then his illness worsened until he lost consciousness; which caused him to forget what he was doing, and he has not prayed for about a year. Is the prayer dropped from him in this state? He cannot sit for wudu' or move except with the help of others, and he has lost consciousness, to the point that he does not know who is sitting in front of him or speaking in front of him, and his tongue has become completely unable to speak. For about a week now, he does not eat or drink, and he sleeps a lot. What
is the ruling on prayer regarding him? And is it permissible for me to pray on his behalf? I ask for the answer so I know how to deal with my father, and may Allah reward you with good.
A: First: Your father using earth for purification due to his inability to use water: there is no blame on him for that. Second: If your father, despite the severity of his illness, loses consciousness and does not comprehend anything: then the prayer is dropped from him; because the basis of obligation for prayer is intellect. Third: 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 prayer does not admit of delegation at all. However, you should make du'a' for your father, seek forgiveness for him, give charity on his behalf, and be kind to him in his life and after his death. 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.