Q: A man used to perform the obligatory Salah (Prayer) and Sawm (Fast) but then he was afflicted by a disease which worsened to the extent that he could neither observe Sawm during Ramadan (Part No. 8; Page No. 82) nor perform Salah. Afterwards, this person died before making up for the missed Sawm and Salah. Please provide us with the legal decision concerning his condition in a written answer. May Allah reward you with the best.

A: First, if the disease continued until the person died or he recovered but was not able to make up the Sawm of Ramadan, he does not have to make any Fidyah (ransom) and you do not have to make it up on his behalf for Allah (Exalted be He) says: ...and He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship and He says: Allâh burdens not a person beyond his scope. Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When I command you to do anything, do of it as much as you possibly can... Second, the five obligatory daily Prayers should be performed by all Muslims every day and night as long as they are sane. The obligation to perform the five daily Prayers is not relinquished because of sickness. In case of serious disease, a person should offer Salah on its due time as much as possible even by gesture. Consequently, the sick person in question mistook when he stopped performing Salah because of the severity of his disease. His affairs are with Allah (Exalted be He) and you can not make up Salah on his behalf.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.