Helping disabled grandmother to prepare for prayer
9-6-2002 | IslamWeb
Question:
My grandmother who is 73 years old has many problems; she still prays, but I wish that she would not because she does not wash up. She has a bathroom in her room but is unable to go and clean up for prayer. She will not do thinks, as she did 40 years ago. What can I do to help her?
Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The prayer is the foundation of Islam and it is the most important pillar on which the religion is founded. Besides, it is the line of demarcation between disbelief and Islam, as it is proved by authentic Prophetic narrations. Therefore, it is not permissible at all to abandon the prayers, or be neglectful in performing them, or fail to meet one of its conditions or pillars. Besides, it should be noted that a person is not exempted from performing it, regardless whether he is old, weak or unable to offer it (in its original prescribed manner); as long as the person is conscious then he must perform it.
However, if a person is not able to offer the prayer, by fulfilling all its conditions and pillars, then he should perform it according to his ability as Allaah does not burden one beyond his scope. Therefore, we say to the questioner that your grandmother should offer the prayers having completely performed ablution if she is able to do so on her own, or with the help of someone else. If she cannot perform ablution in the bathroom, then she can do so inside her room with the means available. If again she cannot do so, she can make Tayammum (dry ablution) and then perform the prayers. In such a case, she is not sinful. Allaah says (which means): {So keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him as much as you can.}[Qur'an 64:16]. Allaah also says (which means): {Allaah burdens not a person beyond his scope.}[Qur'an 2:286]. In addition to this, you should know that in order to be completely dutiful to your grandmother, you should help her purify herself, and you should clean her for every prayer, and remove any impurities or excrements from her.
Allaah knows best.