Can not perform prayers on time because of diabetes

14/04/2010| IslamWeb

Question:

Sir, I am a born diabatic and ever since then whenever my sugar level goes down it does not help me in offering my prayers on time and whenever I feel normal I offer the Qaza for that prayer with the next coming one. this particulary happens in Fjar. Mornings are very tough when the time goes short for offering the prayer on time.So kindly advice me on the issue that how can overcome this serious issue in my life as I have read in a Hadith that the one who missess his Fajr prayer is amongst the hypocrates.

 

Fatwa:

 

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.

 

Undoubtedly, abandoning the Fajr prayer is one of the characteristics of hypocrisy as the Prophet said: “The most burdensome prayers for the hypocrites are the Fajr and ‘Ishaa’ prayers. Had people known the blessings they have in store (for attenduing these two prayers), they would have come to them (i.e. Fajr and 'Ishaa' prayers) even if crawling (on their knees)." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

 

However, you did not clarify to us whether not performing the Fajr prayer is due to not waking up for it or that you wake up but you cannot perform it. In any case, we do not think that your disease is a sound reason for abandoning the Fajr prayer. Many diabetic people perform the Fajr prayer in congregation at the mosque and they are keen on performing the Fajr prayer in congregation.  

 

Therefore, you should endeavour to wake up for the Fajr prayer and you should take the means that would help you do this. If you wake up, you should perform it according to your ability as in the Prophetic narration: “Perform the prayer while standing and if you are unable, then pray sitting, and if again you are unable, then pray (while you are) lying down on one of your sides.” [Al-Bukhari]

 

If you take the proper means to wake up but you are unable due to the disease, then you are not sinful, however, you are obliged to make up for the prayer as soon as you wake up and you should not delay it until the Thuhr prayer.

 

Allah Knows best.

Fatwa answered by:The Fatwa Center at Islamweb