Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Is a Muslim adult suffering from Schizophrenia still held responsible for his/her Islamic duties (salaah, fasting etc.). The person must take prescription drugs everyday to control their condition, if not, paranoid conditions, hearing voices and erratic behaviour may result. Under most conditions the person is fine, capable of everyday tasks, instructions (even unskilled work), and is capable of having a coherent conversation. The mother considers the child to be “insane” and thus argues that the person does not have to salaah or carry out other Islamic duties (he has to take tablets everyday so he cannot fast). Does Schizophrenia lift legal responsibility?
Walaikum assalam,
The scholars hold that when they are in a normal state, they are legally considered fully responsible, and must fulfill all their moral obligations, such as prayer, and so on.
About the fast, is it not reasonably possible to structure the medication around the fast, or to inject the medication (as injections do not invalidate the fast)?
And Allah knows best.
Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.