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Fatwa CenterPrayer and Purification for Ill People
Question
Assalamu AlaikumMy wife met with an accident recently, and her body from neck down is paralysed. She can't move her arms or legs, has no control over her bowel movements or urination - A tube is inserted for urination. She has not been bathed as she had surgery few days back. What is the Islamic law regarding her Tahara (bathing, wudu, tayamum) and Salat, including that related to menstruations in her current hospitalised situation and in future
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
We ask Allah to grant your wife rapid cure and good health.
If she is conscious, then she is required to fulfill all that she possibly can fulfill from the actions of Tahaarah (ritual purity), even if she does so with the help of others. Therefore, if she can perform Wudhoo’ (ablution) or Ghusl (ritual bath), then she must do so, even if she does so with the help of others as we stated. However, if she is unable to do so, then she can resort to Tayammum (dry ablution). In this case, you need to provide her with soil, then she would strike her hands on it one time, and then wipe her face and the upper part of her palms. If she is unable to do this, then you (or someone else) should bring the soil and wipe her face and the upper side of her palms with your own hands. Tayammum is sufficient to ritually purify herself from both minor and major impurities.
As for her prayers, then she should offer her prayers in the way she is capable of. She can pray using her head by bowing it down for Rukoo’ (bowing) and for Sujood (prostrating). However, if she is unable to do so, then she may use her eyes and then perform whatever actions she can, like reciting the Quran and the legislated Athkaar (remembrance of Allah).
Regarding the issue of impurity, then she needs to remove everything she is able to remove, and she will be pardoned for anything she is unable to remove.
The religion of Allah (Islam) is easy to follow and it is facilitated for people to adhere to, and Allah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.
Allah knows best.
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