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What is the ruling regarding the prayer of a paraplegic patient who suffers from involuntary urination and cannot remain pure for a sufficient time to perform the prayer?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

A person afflicted with urinary incontinence performs ablution (wudu') for each prayer after its time has begun, and prays the obligatory (fard) prayer and any supererogatory (nafl) prayers he wishes. What exits from him does not harm him, and his prayer is valid. He must tie a cloth around the private part to prevent the spread of impurity, unless he fears harm, in which case it is not obligatory for him. He prays according to his ability, whether standing, sitting, or on his side. If he is unable to perform ablution, he performs tayammum (dry ablution) after the time for prayer has begun, and removes impurities as much as he can. If he is unable, then there is nothing upon him, due to the Almighty's saying: "So fear Allah as much as you are able." It is permissible for you to look at your father's 'awrah (private parts) as much as needed if there is no one else to attend to his needs.

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

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