What is the ruling on delaying the prayer if a person is obligated to perform a guard duty or the like?
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The questioner : This questioner is asking about the ruling on delaying the prayer if a person is obligated to perform a guard duty or the like?
The Shaykh : It is not permissible, it is not permissible to delay the prayer from its time ever. But one prays according to one's ability, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to 'Imran ibn Husayn:Sunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani) Even if it were decreed that a person is overtaken by the time and he has no water and no earth, but he is on a hospital bed and has no water or earth, and he fears that the time will pass, he prays without wudu' or tayammum, based on the saying of Allah the Exalted: [At-Taghabun 64:16]
And this is an important point that reminds us that some sick people, when illness afflicts them and they become very tired, leave off the prayer and say: "I will pray when I am healed." This is forbidden and not permissible. It is obligatory for him to pray according to his condition. And some sick people say: "My clothes are impure and I cannot wash them, so I will delay the prayer until I wash them." This is also not permissible. We say: Pray according to your condition, even by nodding with the head. If he says that he cannot nod with his head, we say: Pray with your heart. Say the takbir for the opening with your heart, recite what is obligatory for you of the recitation and what is easy for you of the recommended recitation, bow with your heart, intend the bowing with the heart, say Allahu Akbar with your heart, and say Subhana Rabbi al-'Azeem until the end of the prayer. Yes.
The Shaykh : It is not permissible, it is not permissible to delay the prayer from its time ever. But one prays according to one's ability, based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to 'Imran ibn Husayn:
offer prayer in standing condition; if you are unable to do so, then in sitting condition: if you are then at your side
صل قائماً فإن لم تستطع فقاعداً فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبSo fear Allah as much as you are able
فاتقوا الله ما استطعتمAnd this is an important point that reminds us that some sick people, when illness afflicts them and they become very tired, leave off the prayer and say: "I will pray when I am healed." This is forbidden and not permissible. It is obligatory for him to pray according to his condition. And some sick people say: "My clothes are impure and I cannot wash them, so I will delay the prayer until I wash them." This is also not permissible. We say: Pray according to your condition, even by nodding with the head. If he says that he cannot nod with his head, we say: Pray with your heart. Say the takbir for the opening with your heart, recite what is obligatory for you of the recitation and what is easy for you of the recommended recitation, bow with your heart, intend the bowing with the heart, say Allahu Akbar with your heart, and say Subhana Rabbi al-'Azeem until the end of the prayer. Yes.