What is a handicap, who is unable to purify himself, obliged to do?

25-3-2006 | IslamWeb

Question:

There are three handicapped brothers; they are handicapped in their limbs, as they move their limbs with a great difficulty. They are unable to perform ablution except with the help of others, but they do no want to overburden them all the time. So is it permissible for them to perform Tayammum (dry ablution)? Also, is it an obligation for Tayammum to be performed with soil, as there is a Fatwa which says that it is permissible to perform Tayammum with any pure soil or dust, in a way that one puts his hands on a mat, for instance and makes Tayammum this way? So, is this permissible especially that the soil can stick on the face and may sometimes cause allergy?

---

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.

 

The scholars stated that a person who is unable to use water because of a handicap, like having an amputated hand or being paralysed, then it is an obligation on him to appoint someone to help him perform ablution, or Tayammum if the water harms him. However, if he could not find a person to help him free of charge, then he should hire someone to do this for him if he is capable of paying him. 

Allaah Knows best.