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The question

How can a person with a spinal cord injury perform the obligatory acts of worship (prayer, fasting, Hajj, Zakat) while suffering from lack of control over excretion, spasms, and involuntary movements? What is the ruling on depositing money in a bank to earn from it, seeking assistance from a foreign woman for care matters, and an 'urfi marriage without witnesses with a woman who volunteers, especially since the patient might release wind or urine during prayer? Is it permissible for the patient to end their life due to the severity of the illness?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

The religion of Allah is ease; there is no hardship in it, nor is anyone burdened beyond their capacity.

If a sick person is unable to purify themselves at the time of prayer, they should remove any impurity and perform ablution after the time for prayer has begun. Nothing that exits their body without their intention will harm them. They should pray according to their ability: if they cannot stand, they should pray sitting; if they cannot sit, they should pray on their side.

As for zakat, it is obligatory upon them if their wealth reaches the nisab (minimum threshold) and a year has passed over it.

As for fasting, if they are permanently unable to fast, they should feed a poor person for each day they miss. If they hope to recover, they should wait until they are cured and then make up the missed fasts.

As for Hajj, if a doctor certifies that their illness and inability are permanent, they may appoint someone to perform Hajj on their behalf if they possess the means.

As for depositing money in a bank for safekeeping and investment, it is permissible if the bank is truly Islamic, not just in name.

As for a woman serving a non-mahram man, it is permissible on condition that there is no khalwa (private seclusion) and they do not live in the same house without separate living quarters. If they share a common facility, then cohabitation is prohibited.

As for marriage to a woman without a wali (guardian) and witnesses, it is null and void.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported

Read the full answer on Ftawy
Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
59338
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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