What Are the Rulings on Prayers, Fasts, and Hajj for the Terminally Ill?
Hanafi Fiqh
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
My terminally ill father missed most of his fasts and prayers. How can he make them up, given his condition? Does his illness expiate sins? He had chronic kidney stones requiring frequent hydration—was fasting still obligatory? Can we sponsor Hajj on his behalf since we performed ‘Umra for him?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.
Expiatory Payments (Fidya)
If a person is unable to fast due to a long-term illness, chronic health condition, or old age, and there is no hope of recovery or making up the missed fasts, they are required to offer an expiatory payment (fidya).
The expiatory payment for one missed fast is the monetary equivalent of approximately 2kg of wheat. The same applies to each missed prayer, including the Witr. Thus, one day’s worth of missed prayers and one missed day of fasting would require the equivalent of approximately 14kg of wheat in expiation. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; ‘Ala’uddin Ibn] Abidin, al-Hadiyya al-‘Ala’iyya]
One should consult a reliable local scholar to determine the monetary value of this. See the link below for an idea.
Hajj on Behalf of Another (Hajj Badal)
If Hajj is obligatory upon a person and they are unable to go due to some genuine excuse, such as becoming very elderly and unable to perform the rites or being afflicted by a chronic illness like in your case, such that they are unlikely to recover from, such as paralysis, or other such excuses, then it would be obligatory for them to send somebody to perform the Hajj on their behalf.
It is best to appoint someone who knows the Hajj rituals and is not obligated to perform Hajj himself or herself. The rules relating to appointing another to perform Hajj on one’s behalf comprise several details. It is highly advised to consult a reliable scholar on these details before proceeding. [Ibn Humam, Fath al-Qadir; Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar]
Great Reward and Expiation of Sins
The one who remains patient through illness will find nothing from his Lord except reward and recompense. He will meet his Lord with no sin upon him. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:
“The believer will continue to be tested in his body, wealth, and children until he meets Allah, the Most High, with no sin on him.” [Hakim]
Umm ‘Ala’ reported: “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) visited me while I was sick, and he said:
‘Rejoice, O Umm ‘Ala,’ for Allah removes sins through illness just as fire removes impurities from gold and silver.’” [Abu Dawud]
Please go through the valuable answers and links below. Insha’Allah, they will provide you with guidance and direction.
Related
- Expiatory Payments (Fidya) Archives – SeekersGuidance
- Paying Expiation and Not Fasting Due to a Chronic Illness
- What Is the Fidya (Expiatory Payment) for Someone …
- Fidyah– Ummah Welfare Trust
- A Hajj Reader – SeekersGuidance
- Can One Perform Hajj on Behalf of Others? – SeekersGuidance
- Can a Man Perform Hajj on Behalf of a Non-Mahram Woman? – SeekersGuidance
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
