Is It Permissible for a Sick Person to Pray Salah After Its Time Has Passed Due to Medical Circumstances?
Question
Assalamu alaikom warahmatallahi wabarakatuhu sheikh,
Is it permissible for a sick person to pray salah after its time has passed due to medical circumstances? For example, if someone is rushed to the hospital in an ambulance or is in a wheelchair in the waiting room and the time of salah passes.
If a person is in a waiting room and is physically capable of standing and walking, but has suffered a head injury and doctors instruct him to remain seated even though the prayer time will pass, is it permissible for him to pray later once doctors say it is safe to get up and walk?
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This question concerns the obligation of praying within its prescribed time, the concessions granted due to illness, and how Sharia treats situations of genuine medical constraint.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Prayer is obligated within fixed times.
Allah says:
“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers at fixed times.”
Surat an Nisa 4:103
At the same time, Islam does not obligate a servant to endanger himself or disregard legitimate medical instruction.
Allah says:
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”
Surat al Baqarah 2:286
And Allah says:
“And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.”
Surat al Baqarah 2:195
2. Praying During Illness When Ability Is Restricted
The general rule is that a sick person must pray within the time, according to their ability:
- Standing if able
- Sitting if unable to stand
- Lying down if unable to sit
If a person can pray safely in any form during the time, then delaying the prayer until after its time is not permitted.
However, this ruling changes when:
- The person is under emergency care
- Doctors explicitly prohibit movement
- Praying would pose a real risk to health
- The person is mentally or physically unable to pray properly
In such cases, the person is considered legitimately prevented, not negligent.
3. Ambulance, Emergency Rooms, and Medical Orders
If someone is:
- In an ambulance
- Under urgent medical observation
- In a hospital waiting room with instructions not to move
- At risk of worsening injury (such as head trauma)
and cannot safely pray even sitting or with gestures, then they are excused from praying within the time.
Once the medical restriction is lifted, the person prays the missed salah immediately, and it is considered prayed with a valid excuse, not sinful delay.
4. When the Person Is Technically Able but Medically Restricted
Even if a person is physically capable of standing or walking, but:
- Doctors forbid movement
- There is a real medical risk
- The restriction is not merely precautionary convenience
then Sharia recognizes the doctor’s instruction as a valid impediment.
In this case:
- Delaying the prayer until safety is restored is permissible
- The prayer is made up immediately once able
- There is no sin upon the person
5. Difference Between Negligence and Legitimate Excuse
It is important to distinguish between:
- Choosing to delay prayer due to inconvenience
- Being forced to delay prayer due to illness or medical instruction
Only the first is sinful. The second is fully excused in Sharia.
6. Relevant Usul Principles
القدرة شرط في التكليف
Ability is a condition for legal obligation.
المشقة تجلب التيسير
Hardship brings about ease.
الضرر يزال
Harm must be removed.
إذا تعذر الأداء سقط الإثم وبقي القضاء
When performance becomes impossible, sin is lifted while make up remains.
Final Ruling
If a sick person is genuinely unable to pray within the time due to emergency medical circumstances or explicit medical instruction, it is permissible to delay the prayer until the danger has passed.
Once the person is medically cleared and able to pray safely, the missed salah must be prayed immediately, and there is no sin for the delay.
If the person is able to pray within the time in any safe manner, then they must do so and may not delay.
Islam does not obligate prayer in a way that endangers life or health.
And Allah knows best.