Can a handicapped person substitute ablution with dry ablution?

29-3-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

I am a handicapped person and I find a difficulty in performing ablution. Is it permissible for me to always perform Tayammum (dry ablution) before the prayer?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

A person who wants to perform the prayer is obliged to perform ablution with water even if he is a handicapped person as long as he is able to perform ablution. So, he may avoid the difficulty by preparing himself for ablution a sufficient time in advance of the time of the prayer, and he may seek the help of others in doing so. However, when he is unable to do so and fears that the prescribed time for the prayer will be over, then there is no harm on him to perform Tayammum (dry ablution) as Allaah does not burden a soul more than it can bear, and Allaah has not laid any difficulty in religion. The person knows more about himself than others whether he is unable or not.

Allaah Knows best.