Q: I am bedridden and can not move at all. How can I perform Taharah (ritual purification) for Salah (Prayer) and how can I perform Salah?

A: First, to perform Taharah, Muslims should purify themselves with water and if they can not use water due to sickness or any other reason; they should perform Tayammum (dry ablution) using Tahir (ritually pure) dust. However, if they can not even perform Tayammum; Taharah is no longer a condition for their Salah and they can perform Salah as they are. Allah (Exalted be He) says: So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can and He (Glorified be He) says: ...and He has not laid upon you in religion any hardship If any urine (Part No. 8; Page No. 77) or feces is discharged, it is enough to do Istijmar (cleansing the private parts with a hard material after urination or defecation) or clean oneself by use of clods of mud or pure material. Second, sick people have to perform Salah while standing; and if they can not; it should be performed while sitting otherwise while lying on their sides. This is proved by an authentic narration on the authority of `Imran ibn Husayn that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Pray while standing and if you cannot, pray while sitting and if you cannot do even that, then pray lying on your side. Also, Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: So keep your duty to Allâh and fear Him as much as you can May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.