My Husband Is No Longer Praying After a Knee Injury. How Should I React?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
Question: I married a few months ago and in my second month of marriage, my husband had an operation on his knee. Since then he has stopped praying.
Are my relations with him are still permissible?
Answer: Assalamualaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray this finds you well. Dear sister, may Allah grant you patience and lift this trial from you.
Prayer
It is still obligatory for your husband to pray. He must take whatever means are necessary for him to pray, such as sitting on a chair.
Marital relations
Please rest assured that your marital relations are still halal. He is still Muslim, and your marriage contract remains valid.
Solutions
It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (upon him be blessings and peace) said: “The believer who mixes with people and bears their annoyance with patience will have a greater reward than the believer who does not mix with people and does not put up with their annoyance.” [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Please perform the Prayer of Need in the last third of the night and beg Allah to guide your husband back to establishing prayer. Do not lose hope in Allah’s Mercy, and have patience with His Decree. This is a test of your patience, your good character, and your trust in Allah.
You are the best judge of your husband’s character. Ask yourself what would help encourage him to prayer. Does he respond to being told what to do? Or does he respond better by watching you establish prayer? Use wisdom, tact, and gentleness when you give him advice.
Do what you can to bring barakah to your home. Ensure that you establish the prayer, read Qur’an, give in zakat, and other acts of worship. By being steadfast on your acts of worship, you are already part of the solution.
Please read this inspiring answer by Ustadh Abdullah Anik Misra and see how you can apply it in your own life – My Husband Doesnt Pray: How Do I Advise Him?
Please refer to these following links:
Guiding One’s Family Towards the Good: Advice & Tips
Positive Spiritual Thinking: Choosing Mindfulness (taqwa) and Embracing Trust (tawakkul) by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Wassalam,
Raidah
Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
