One who passed away and was unable to fast and pray during her illness

Q: This is a question sent by the sister R. F. Y. L. from Iraq. She says: My mother used to fast and pray, and she fell ill with a severe illness. She passed away two years ago as a result of it, and she did not fast or pray during her illness due to her inability to do so. So, am I required to pay an expiation on her behalf, or to fast and pray on her behalf? Please inform us, may Allah reward you.

A: As long as she died while ill and unable to fast, you do not have to fast on her behalf if she died in the illness that prevented her from fasting during this long period. In that case, you do not make up anything for her, and you are not required to feed anyone either, and praise be to Allah. As for the prayer, you were wrong to leave off the prayer. It was obligatory for her to pray even if she was ill; one does not delay the prayer. It is obligatory for the sick person to pray according to his condition: if he can pray standing, he prays standing; if he is unable to stand, he prays sitting; if he cannot sit, he prays on his right side, which is better, or on his left side according to his capacity; if he cannot pray on his side, he prays lying down. This is how the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded when some of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) complained to him of illness. He said to him: It was narrated by al-Bukhari and al-Nasa'i, and this wording is from al-Nasa'i.
This is what is obligatory for the sick person, whether male or female. He prays sitting if he is unable to stand, whether he is sitting in a squatting position, a cross-legged position, or as he sits between the two prostrations; all of this is permissible. If he is unable to sit, he prays on his right side or his left side, and the right side is better if he is able. He intends the pillars and obligations of the prayer and says what he is able to. He says the takbir and recites al-Fatihah first, and then recites whatever is easy for him. Then he says the takbir intending the bowing and says: Subhan Rabbi al-Azim (Glory be to my Lord, the Exalted) three times or more, and the obligatory amount is once. Then he says: Sami' Allahu li man hamidah (Allah hears the one who praises Him) intending the rising from the bowing. Then he says after that: Rabbana wa laka al-hamd (Our Lord, and to You is praise) filling the heavens and filling the earth and filling what is between them and filling whatever You will of things after that. Then he says the takbir intending the prostration and says: Subhan Rabbi al-A'la (Glory be to my Lord, the Most High) three times or more, and the obligatory amount is once. Then he says the takbir intending the rising from the prostration and intending to sit between the two prostrations and says: Rabbighfir li (My Lord, forgive me) three times or more, and the obligatory amount is once. He does not say the takbir intending the second prostration and says: Subhan Rabbi al-A'la as mentioned before. It is recommended for him to increase in supplication during the prostration. And he does the same in the second rak'ah and those after it, with intention and speech according to his capacity.
It is not prescribed for you to pray on her behalf; rather, it is required of you to make supplication for her and seek mercy for her if she was a monotheist Muslim. However, if she used to call upon the dead and seek aid from the dead, calling upon other than Allah, then no supplication is made for her; because this is major shirk. If she used to call upon the dead in her life, or slaughter for them, or seek aid from them, this is from major shirk; because calling upon the dead, seeking aid from them, slaughtering for them, and making vows for them, such as saying: O my master, O Abdul Qadir, heal my sick one, help me, or cure me, all of this is from major shirk. And the one who dies in this state is not supplicated for because he died upon shirk. We ask Allah for safety and well-being. However, if she was a monotheist who did not call upon the dead but worshipped Allah alone, then supplication is made for her and forgiveness is sought for her, but no prayer is performed on her behalf; because the prayer is not made up for the dead. End of the answer.