If a person falls ill with an illness that prevents him from praying, what is required of him?
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The questioner : ... How does a sick person pray?
The Shaykh : If a person falls ill, we tell him what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Imran ibn Husayn:Sunan Abi Dawud 952Sahih (Al-Albani) and he instructed him to indicate with his head.
As for indicating with the finger, I do not know of any scholar who advocates it, nor is there a Sunnah regarding it either. It is mere nonsense, meaning a disliked movement, because it is neither a Sunnah nor prescribed.
As for moving the eye or indicating with the eye, some scholars have spoken of it. They said: If he cannot do it with his head, he should indicate with his eye by closing it slightly for the bowing and closing it more for the prostration. As for the finger, since it has become widespread among the common people, the one doing it is ignorant and owes nothing; he does not have to repeat his prayer.
However, it is obligatory for students of knowledge, when something that is not prescribed becomes widespread among the common people, to devote their efforts to pointing it out. The common people seek the truth, but they are ignorant. If one remains silent about these matters, they will remain as they are. But if they are disseminated in gatherings, in sermons, in admonitions, and in lectures, it will be beneficial, and may Allah make it beneficial.
The questioner : ... but he does not know at what time.
The Shaykh : In any case, the one who sees that ignorance is not an excuse is required to make up the prayer. But we see that there is an excuse, especially since it is widespread among the common people and is not something unique to the one doing it. All the common people say: Pray with your finger.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : If a person falls ill, we tell him what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said 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 قائما فإن لم تستطع فقاعدًا فإن لم تستطع فعلى جنبAs for indicating with the finger, I do not know of any scholar who advocates it, nor is there a Sunnah regarding it either. It is mere nonsense, meaning a disliked movement, because it is neither a Sunnah nor prescribed.
As for moving the eye or indicating with the eye, some scholars have spoken of it. They said: If he cannot do it with his head, he should indicate with his eye by closing it slightly for the bowing and closing it more for the prostration. As for the finger, since it has become widespread among the common people, the one doing it is ignorant and owes nothing; he does not have to repeat his prayer.
However, it is obligatory for students of knowledge, when something that is not prescribed becomes widespread among the common people, to devote their efforts to pointing it out. The common people seek the truth, but they are ignorant. If one remains silent about these matters, they will remain as they are. But if they are disseminated in gatherings, in sermons, in admonitions, and in lectures, it will be beneficial, and may Allah make it beneficial.
The questioner : ... but he does not know at what time.
The Shaykh : In any case, the one who sees that ignorance is not an excuse is required to make up the prayer. But we see that there is an excuse, especially since it is widespread among the common people and is not something unique to the one doing it. All the common people say: Pray with your finger.
The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.