Q 1: My father is an elderly man, and has been bedridden in hospital for about four years. He is not able to perform Salah (Prayer). He receives a pension that I collect for him. My father has other adult sons, am I required to consult with them if you order me to pay Sadaqah (voluntary charity) or Kaffarah (expiation)?

A: First, if your father is aware, i.e. he understands what is happening around him, you have to tell him that he is not excused from Salah, even though he is sick. He should observe the Salah according to his condition, whether he performs it standing, sitting, lying on his side, or lying on his back. He should also purify himself with water if he can, or by Tayamum (dry ablution). He should purify himself from urine and excrement before he performs Wudu' (ablution) by using water or Istijmar (cleansing the private parts with a hard material after urination or defecation) using toilet paper or the like three times or more (Part No. 8; Page No. 80) until impurity is removed. If he does not understand what is happening around him, he is not required to perform Salah. As for Sawm (Fast), he is not required to observe it or to feed a needy person. If Allah permits him to recover, he should make up for the days of Sawm that he missed. If after he has recovered he is unable to observe Sawm due to old age, he will then have to feed a needy person for every day he missed. Secondly, You are not permitted to pay Sadaqah from the money that you mentioned, unless you have his permission. May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.