Question # 010
Asslamualaikum My Mom is severely ill , at her 80s she had a stroke in 2016 , and paralyzed partially , she lost her speech and couldn't remember any surah and salat procedure, she needs 24 hours assistance for her routine activities. In that case is salat and fasting is mandatory for her ? As her children do I have to pay any kaffara on behalf of her? jazakallah khairan Sincerely Azad
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh.
May Allah (swt) reward you for your concern and grant your mother shifaa kaamilah. Ameen.
Salaah is obligatory on every person as long as one is conscious. When unconscious, a person is not accountable for any prayer, as accountability of prayer is dependent on one's sound mind. It is not permissible to stop praying under any circumstances, whether in health or sickness as long as one has a sound mind. However, when in sickness, a person is allowed to perform salaah according to one's capabilities and strengths. So salaah should be performed however one can whether that be lying down on a bed or indicating with the eyes. If she is unable to remember surahs, she will be able to suffice with dhikr.
If a person is not capable of doing this much, then it is not permissible to offer any of the prayers on one's behalf, because one cannot pray on behalf of anyone else.
In the case of one not being able to perform the salaah or it's qadhaa in any manner, then fidyah should be given.
The fidyah of one salah is equal to one Sadaqah al-Fitr. The quantity of Sadaqah al-Fitr at present is 1575 grams which is equal to approximately $3. Witr is also a separate salah and one Sadaqah al-Fitr should be paid for witr salah as well. Therefore, a day would include 6 prayers (5 and witr) for 3 dollars each, resulting in 18 dollars a day. For example, if 40 salaah are missed then $120 should be given for each salaah missed. (Kitaabun Nawaazil, Volume 4)
As for fasting, Allah has excused a person of fasting due to an illness.
اَیَّامًا مَّعۡدُوۡدٰتٍ ؕ فَمَنۡ کَانَ مِنۡکُمۡ مَّرِیۡضًا اَوۡ عَلٰی سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّۃٌ مِّنۡ اَیَّامٍ اُخَرَ ؕ وَ عَلَی الَّذِیۡنَ یُطِیۡقُوۡنَہٗ فِدۡیَۃٌ طَعَامُ مِسۡکِیۡنٍ ؕ فَمَنۡ تَطَوَّعَ خَیۡرًا فَہُوَ خَیۡرٌ لَّہٗ ؕ وَ اَنۡ تَصُوۡمُوۡا خَیۡرٌ لَّکُمۡ اِنۡ کُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ ﴿۱۸۵﴾
The prescribed fasting is for a fixed number of days, but whoso among you is sick or is on a journey shall fast the same number of other days; and for those who are able to fast only with great difficulty is an expiation — the feeding of a poor man. And who so performs a good work with willing obedience, it is better for him. And fasting is good for you, if you only knew. (Baqarah 2:185)
Therefore, a person should make up the fast on a day one is able to do so. However, in the case of a terminally ill person, fidyah should be given in exchange for the fast that cannot be kept. The amount of sadaqatul-fitr will be given for each fast missed. The Sadaqatul Fitr is 1575 grams which is equal to approximately $3. It should be kept in mind that the fidyah is in exchange for the fast the terminally ill person cannot keep. Therefore before the month of Ramadhan, one will not be permitted to give the fidyah. As soon as the month of Ramadhan begins, one will be allowed to give fidyah every day for each fast or for the whole month if he wishes at once. (Ahsanul Fatawa p.436 v.4)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Regards,
Student - Jamiah Islamiyah Abu Bakr
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Kasim Ingar
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