Teaching the Deaf and Mute

Q: If I have a brother who is deaf and mute, meaning he does not hear or speak, as is known, and naturally he knows nothing about prayer, fasting, or zakah, nor does he know anything about the rulings of Islam, nor anything of the Qur'an, how should guidance be provided in this situation?

A: It is necessary to do with him what teaches his mind through sign language if he is sighted. He should be taught prayer by action; his guardian or someone else should pray in front of him, and he should be indicated to perform these actions. The times should be explained to him in a way he understands, or he should be taught prayer by action at every time, after it is established that he is of sound mind. If he knows how to write, the true Islamic creed and the pillars of Islam should be written for him, along with an explanation of the meaning of the two testimonies. Likewise, the remaining rulings of the Shari'ah should be clarified to him in writing, including the rulings of prayer such as wudu' and ghusl, janabah, and the explanation of times, the pillars of prayer, its obligatory acts, and what is prescribed in it, as well as the explanation of the rawatib, the sunnah of Dhuha, and witr, among other things that a mukallaf needs, so that he may benefit from writing.
When his mind is taught by any means, it is established that he is among those who are mukallaf (legally accountable) if he reaches puberty by one of its known signs, and the rulings of the mukallafin become obligatory upon him according to his knowledge and ability. However, if it appears from his condition that he does not have reason, there is no blame on him, because he is not mukallaf, as stated in the authentic hadith: .