Ruling on Missing Congregational Prayer in the Masjid Due to Physical Pain
Fatwa No: 523357

Question

I have foot pain and it hurts to walk and when I walk I feel like its worsening the healing process as the pain feels like its damaging it. I will go book Doctor appointment but it could be days or weeks till I get a appointment so can I pray home in meantime.

Answer

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 (sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam) is His slave and Messenger.

There is no sin upon you for praying at home due to the pain you experience when walking. Allah, the Exalted, does not burden His servants with obligations beyond their ability or capacity. He states in the Qur’an (what means): {And We do not burden any soul except according to its capacity} [Quran 23:62]. Likewise, He Says (what means): {So fear Allah as much as you are able} [Quran 64:16].

Moreover, the jurists who hold the view that performing the prayer in congregation at the mosque is obligatory have explicitly mentioned valid excuses that permit one to refrain from attending the mosque. Among these excuses are illness and the fear of falling ill. Al-Mardāwī states in Al-Inṣāf: “The sick person is excused from attending the congregational prayer and the Friday prayer, without any difference of opinion. Likewise, one who fears becoming ill is excused from attending both the congregation and the Friday prayer.”

It should also be noted that you will continue to receive the reward of praying in congregation at the Masjid – by Allah’s permission – so long as you are keen and committed to it but are prevented from attending due to illness. This is based on the statement of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam): “When a servant becomes ill or travels, he is rewarded for what he used to do when he was healthy and resident” [Imam Al-Bukhārī].

Finally, if possible, you may perform the prayer in congregation at home with your family during your illness.

Allah Knows best.

Related Fatwa