Q: I often do work in hospitals and come across Muslim patients. When speaking to them, I realise that they are not reading their salaah because sometimes they have urine catherters attached to them/nappys/weak in bed and unable to keep themselves paak. Some say they just don’t feel clean in hospital environment or are too weak to make wudhu, etc. How must I advise them?
A: You should explain to them that the most important obligation after Imaan is the obligation of salaah. The first thing a believer will be questioned about on the day of Qiyaamah will be in regard to salaah. Omitting salaah is a major sin in Islam.
The Hadith has commanded that in whichever condition a believer is, he should perform his salaah. If he is unable to stand and perform the salaah, then he should sit and perform the salaah. If he is unable to sit and perform the salaah, then he should lie down and perform the salaah with signs.
If one is unable to make wudhu, then he should make tayammum and perform the salaah. Similarly, if it is difficult for one to turn towards the qibla, then one may perform the salaah in any direction. However, in all the above situations, one will not be excused from performing salaah.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)