Question:

There is a young man who is 18 years old that has asked a question regarding the performance of wudhu and keeping oneself clean. He is paralysed and is unable to move his feet and his right hand. His is also not able to fully use his left hand. He is residing alone in a country away from his parents and family. He cannot afford to employ someone to care for him and help him in performing wudhu.

Answer:

All praise is for Allah ﷻ, Lord of all the worlds. Peace and salutations upon our Master Muhammad ﷺ, upon his blessed family and his noble companions.

It is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an:

﴿ وَمَا جَعَلَ عَلَيْكُم فِي الدِّيْنِ مِنْ حَرَجٍ ﴾

“And he has not made anything difficult upon you in the matters of religion.” (Al-Hajj:78)

It has been narrated from the Beloved Prophet ﷺ: “When I prohibit you from a thing, then leave it. When I command you towards a thing, then complete it to the best of your ability. (Bukhari)

Whoever is unable to perform wudhu then it is wajib for him to perform tayammum. If one cannot perform wudhu or tayammum, then both obligations will drop.

Based upon this if the young man cannot perform wudhu and is unable to arrange someone to help him then he should perform tayammum. If he is unable to perform tayammum then he will perform his prayer without wudhu or tayammum, the prayer will be valid.

And Allah knows best.

Dr Musharraf Hussain Al-Azhari
Director of British Fatwa Council

.