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What is the ruling regarding the prayers that will coincide with the time of the surgery, and how should one perform ablution (wudu') and dry ablution (tayammum) afterwards, and what is the ruling regarding touching female nurses and doctors before, during, and after the surgery, and is a Muslim sinful if unable to prevent them from touching him?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

First, regarding prayer: You must perform ablution (Wudu') if possible; otherwise, perform dry ablution (Tayammum). Pray standing if you are able; otherwise, pray sitting, or on your side, or lying down, indicating bowing and prostration with gestures. Face the Qiblah if possible; otherwise, pray in whichever direction you are. Perform the prayer at its prescribed time. It is permissible for you to combine the Dhuhr and Asr prayers, and the Maghrib and Isha prayers, when there is a need. If you miss prayers after the operation, perform them immediately upon waking, in their proper sequence.

Second, regarding being touched by female doctors and nurses: The general rule is that it is not permissible to touch a non-mahram woman. Therefore, ask the hospital that you not be touched by women. If that is not possible, then there is no blame upon you due to necessity, but you must lower your gaze and limit conversation with them unless it is absolutely necessary. After the operation, request that women not enter your room.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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