Does the Pen cease to record the actions of a person with multiple personalities if another personality takes control of them and compels them to commit forbidden acts and neglect obligatory duties? And will Allah Almighty compensate them for those duties?
Legal responsibility is predicated upon reason and conditioned by ability. The ruling on psychological illnesses and their relation to legal responsibility depends on the extent of their impact on reason and ability, and this varies according to the illness, the person, and the situation. The fundamental principle is that a mature, sane Muslim is legally responsible, unless an impediment arises that deprives him of eligibility.
If a psychological condition dominates the body, compels forbidden acts, and prevents obligatory duties, this lifts legal responsibility. Imam Al-Shafi'i said: "Whoever's intellect is overcome, whether by a congenital defect or a sudden illness he was not responsible for bringing upon himself through disobedience, is not bound by divorce, nor prayer, nor legal punishments. This applies to the imbecile, the insane, the obsessive-compulsive, the delirious, and anyone with an illness that overcomes his intellect, as long as his intellect is overcome."
It is recommended to seek the assessment of a specialized psychiatrist to evaluate the condition. Whoever is relieved of legal responsibility due to his intellect being overcome will be rewarded for what he used to do in a state of health, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "If a servant falls ill or travels, the like of what he used to do when he was a resident and healthy will be written for him." Moreover, the sick person whose intellect is overcome is rewarded, recompensed, and his sins are expiated by the illness.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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