Ruling on making up the prayer for a sick person who is unable to perform it
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Question 323: The questioner says: My mother passed away after she was afflicted with a disease in her joints, so she did not pray during the period of her illness, and she also broke her fast in the month of Ramadan for several years due to a legitimate religious excuse, but she did not make up the missed fasts out of ignorance.
regarding the ruling on making up the fast. As for the prayer, we, her children, prayed on her behalf for a period of five years, until we learned that that does not benefit her, and that the prayer is not made up on behalf of anyone. So we turned away from that to reciting the Noble Qur'an and dedicating its reward to her, and giving charity on her behalf. As for the fasting, is it permissible for us to pay expiation on her behalf, or what should we do on her behalf?
A323: As for leaving off the prayer for the sick person, this is not permissible. It is not permissible for the sick person to leave off the prayer, no matter how severe his illness becomes, as long as his mind is sound. He must pray according to his condition and according to what he is able to do. This is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih al-Bukhari 7288 and His saying, the Exalted: [At-Taghabun 64:16], and His saying, the Glorious: [Al-Baqarah 2:286]. So the sick person prays according to his condition, standing, or sitting, or on his side, and he indicates with his head
for the prostration. He performs the ablution if he is able to perform the ablution, or he performs dry ablution if he is unable to perform the ablution. As for leaving off the prayer on the pretext that he is sick, this is a serious matter. It is not permissible to leave off the prayer under any circumstances. So your mother erred in leaving off the prayer, but perhaps she was excused due to ignorance. However, it is obligatory that she ask the people of knowledge, or that her guardian ask on her behalf, and those around her ask the people of knowledge. As for being lax in the matter, or for a person to act based on his ignorance and the sayings of the ignorant, this is a very serious matter. And as you mentioned, the prayer is not made up; because it is a physical act in which representation does not enter. And the matter of your mother is left to Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
regarding the ruling on making up the fast. As for the prayer, we, her children, prayed on her behalf for a period of five years, until we learned that that does not benefit her, and that the prayer is not made up on behalf of anyone. So we turned away from that to reciting the Noble Qur'an and dedicating its reward to her, and giving charity on her behalf. As for the fasting, is it permissible for us to pay expiation on her behalf, or what should we do on her behalf?
A323: As for leaving off the prayer for the sick person, this is not permissible. It is not permissible for the sick person to leave off the prayer, no matter how severe his illness becomes, as long as his mind is sound. He must pray according to his condition and according to what he is able to do. This is based on his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
And if I order you to do something, then do of it as much as you can.
إذا أمرتكم بأمر فأتوا منه ما استطعتمSo fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنْفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَAllah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity
لاَ يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْسًا إِلاَّ وُسْعَهَاfor the prostration. He performs the ablution if he is able to perform the ablution, or he performs dry ablution if he is unable to perform the ablution. As for leaving off the prayer on the pretext that he is sick, this is a serious matter. It is not permissible to leave off the prayer under any circumstances. So your mother erred in leaving off the prayer, but perhaps she was excused due to ignorance. However, it is obligatory that she ask the people of knowledge, or that her guardian ask on her behalf, and those around her ask the people of knowledge. As for being lax in the matter, or for a person to act based on his ignorance and the sayings of the ignorant, this is a very serious matter. And as you mentioned, the prayer is not made up; because it is a physical act in which representation does not enter. And the matter of your mother is left to Allah, Mighty and Majestic.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.