Washing the disabled children

404

Q 1: My father has three handicapped and mentally retarded sons. We accept this as a grace from Allah which He bestows only on His believing Servants, praise be to Allah. These three sons are my brothers and are incapable of taking care of themselves, and for this reason my mother undertakes the duty of serving them in terms of their feeding, drinking, and clothing despite the fact that they have reached the age of adolescence, and the eldest of them is 25 years old. Is it permissible for my mother to clean the body of my elder brother whose sexual organs are complete and see his `Awrah (parts of the body that must be covered in public)? Does she incur sin when she does so out of necessity because I am not available at home to help my brothers clean themselves? Please, advise.

A: You will be rewarded for taking care of and cleaning those disabled men - In sha’a-Allah (if Allah wills). However, you should cover their `Awrah and clean it from behind a veil and while wearing gloves or covering your hands with a piece of cloth. (Part No. 25; Page No. 383) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.