I’m Due to Have an Operation during a Prayer. What Should I Do?

Answered by Ustadh Farid Dingle

Question

I’m due to have an operation during a prayer. What should I do?

Answer

Thank you for your important question.

If one is under general anesthetic from before Dhuhr until Maghrib, from before Maghrib until Fajr, or from before Fajr until sunrise, then one is excused from praying those prayers to begin with. (Bushra al Karim, Ba Ishn)

If however one comes out of general anesthetic before Maghrib, one must pray Dhuhr and Asr on time if possible, or as just make ups if not. Similarly, if one comes out of general anesthetic before Fajr, one must pray Maghrib and Isha on time if possible, or as just make ups if not. (Bushra al Karim, Ba Ishn; al Sunan al Kubra, Bayhaqi) 

If one’s surgery begins after the start of any prayer time, and the time elapses before going under general anesthetic that would allow one (in principle) to pray that prayer, then one must pray that prayer on time if possible, or just as a make up if not. (Bushra al Karim, Ba Ishn)

In a medical setting, if one anticipates missing Dhuhr or Asr, or Maghrib or Isha, one may join Dhuhr and Asr, or Maghrib and Isha in either of the first or second time. (Bughyat al Mustarshidin, Abd al Rahman Mashhur; Rawdat al Talibin, Nawawi; Kifayat al Akhyar, Hisni; al Awsat, Ibn al Mundhir)

Please also see:

Is a Lecture a Valid Excuse to Delay the Prayer?

I pray this helps.

[Ustadh] Farid
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Farid Dingle has completed extensive years of study in the sciences of the Arabic language and the various Islamic Sciences. During his studies, he also earned a CIFE Certificate in Islamic Finance. Over the years, he has developed a masterful ability to craft lessons that help non-Arabic speakers gain a deep understanding of the language. He currently teaches courses in the Arabic Language.