Performing Tayammum if Paralyzed

Answered by Shaykh Faraz A. Khan

Question: My mum recently had a stroke and is incapacitated in bed. Her left side is paralyzed. She is in no way capable of performing wudhu and I gather that she is allowed to perform tayammum instead.

Would a person be exempt from performing wudhu (and hence qualify for performing tayammum instead) if they are physically incapable of performing wudhu by themselves?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

I pray this finds you in the best of health and states. May Allah Most High grant your mother a speedy recovery and make her illness a means of drawing near to the Divine.

Yes, she most certainly may perform tayammum instead of wudu.

Also, it is worth mentioning that in the Hanafi school, it is valid to use a stone, even if small, to wipe on when performing tayammum. Using dust or dirt is not a condition.

Lastly, she would perform the prayer itself using head motions, details of which are described in this informative video:

The sunna way of praying when injured or unable to stand

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi Falah]

And Allah knows best.
wassalam
Faraz

Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani