Am I Required to Pray Five Times Daily Despite Medical Advice to Limit Prayer?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

As someone diagnosed with bipolar disorder, my doctors advise limiting prayer to once or twice weekly due to its impact on my condition. From an Islamic perspective, am I required to pray five times daily despite this medical advice?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Allah (Most High) says,

“Indeed, prayer has been prescribed for the believers at set times.” [Quran, 4:103]

The five daily prayers are a fundamental obligation in Islam, and their consistent performance is essential for spiritual well-being. However, Islam recognizes genuine medical hardships and grants concessions when necessary. If a qualified, God-conscious Muslim psychiatrist—preferably with a second opinion—determines that performing the full five daily prayers would cause significant harm due to a diagnosed medical condition, a concession may apply.

Such a concession is strictly limited to the extent of the need, meaning that one should perform as many prayers as possible within their capacity. Alternatively solutions, such as joining prayers and making up missed prayers when able, should be utilised.

Please consult the details here.

And Allah (Most High) knows best.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.