The Prayer of the Elderly Person Who Is Not Aware
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Fatwa No. ( 2797 )
Q: I have an uncle, my father’s brother, who has become very old and no longer recognizes people, nor the four original directions, nor anything of his affairs. He is like a newborn child in his movements and behavior. Since he is unable to fast or pray, I ask for guidance: is he required to pay anything in lieu of the fasting he cannot perform, such as feeding a poor person or giving charity, etc.? I am very keen to ensure my conscience is clear and to do good for him.
A: If the situation is as you described, that your uncle no longer recognizes people and does not know the four original directions, etc., and you are keen to fulfill what is obligatory for him, then he owes no prayer, no fasting, and no feeding. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I have an uncle, my father’s brother, who has become very old and no longer recognizes people, nor the four original directions, nor anything of his affairs. He is like a newborn child in his movements and behavior. Since he is unable to fast or pray, I ask for guidance: is he required to pay anything in lieu of the fasting he cannot perform, such as feeding a poor person or giving charity, etc.? I am very keen to ensure my conscience is clear and to do good for him.
A: If the situation is as you described, that your uncle no longer recognizes people and does not know the four original directions, etc., and you are keen to fulfill what is obligatory for him, then he owes no prayer, no fasting, and no feeding. 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.