Salaah for deaf and mute individuals

[ummtaalib]

Q. I have a niece and nephew who are mute and baligh. How should they pray salaah?

 

(Question published as received)

 

A. Salaah of a Mute person

 

In principle, a mute person will perform Salaah in accordance with their ability and capacity of fulfilling the obligation of Salaah.

 

A mute person will fulfil their Salaah simply by performing the postures of Salaah as is normally done. The recitation of Qiraat and the various other recitations in Salaah will not be required of them. It is Mustahab (preferable) for them to move their tongues assimilating recitation if they can. (Namaaz ke Masaa’il Ka Encyclopaedia 3/362-363)

 

Salaah of a Deaf person

 

The same ruling as above applies to a deaf person.

 

However, if a deaf person can recite the required Qira’ah for Salaah then that will be compulsory. If they are unable to recite the minimum required Qira’ah for Salaah then they will recite whatever amount they can. If they can recite the Takbeer-e-Tahreemah (the first Takbeer through which one begins his Salaah), the Tashahhud and the end Salaam, they will be required to do so as well. (Namaaz ke Masaa’il Ka Encyclopaedia 1/236)

 

Note: Sign language has become common means of communication with people who have such disabilities. This can be used to teach them about Islam and its injunctions.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Moosa Salie

Mufti Taahir Hansa

 

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

 

 

Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) 
Council of Muslim Theologians