What is the ruling on the prayer, ablution (wudu), and dry ablution (tayammum) of a bedridden person afflicted with involuntary urination who cannot change his clothes always, and how should he deal with the emission of semen, knowing that he can only perform ritual bathing (ghusl) once or twice a week?
One afflicted with urinary incontinence must use something to prevent the spread of urine, such as an adhesive patch or a diaper, and then perform ablution (wudu') for each prayer. If performing ablution for each prayer is difficult, then it is permissible to combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, and the Maghrib and Isha prayers. It is not necessary to change the diaper if it is securely fastened.
Regarding purification (taharah), it is obligatory for one who is able to use water to perform ablution (wudu'). Dry ablution (tayammum) is not permissible for him at that time unless he is unable to perform wudu' himself or to hire someone to help him perform it.
If ritual bathing (ghusl) becomes obligatory and he is unable to perform it, then tayammum for ritual impurity (janabah) is permissible, while striving to perform ghusl himself or to hire someone to bathe him if a volunteer is not available. If the person is able to perform wudu' but not ghusl, then he should perform tayammum for janabah and then wudu' for prayer.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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