Translation of Al-Azhar Fatwa

In the name of Allah, the most Gracious, the most Merciful.
AL-AZHAR Complex of Islamic Research
Fatwa Commission
(Counselling Islamic Commission)

Question
Submitted by Mr. Mohamed Hanafy Ahmed, General Manager of ConvaTec, Middle East:
“There is a large group of patients afflicted by colon and bladder cancer where the malignant tumor has to be removed together with the vital organ of the body so as to prevent the spread of disease. In such cases the natural opening of the body is by-passed and replaced by a stoma in the abdomen to work as an outlet through which urine or stool is emitted in an involuntary manner. Pouches used for collecting such matter are replaced when necessary.

At the time of prayers, the stoma patient is unable to change the pouch. Is it possible for such a patient to pray while the pouch is carrying such excrements and what is the rule in such a case ?”

Answer
Praised be Allah, Lord of all creatures and peace and prayers be upon the master of messengers Mohamed, his Kin and his followers.

“In answer to this question, we reply that whoever is in such a situation is considered to have a religiously legitimate excuse. Since a stoma patient cannot replace the pouch for each prayer, he may perform absolution at the onset of each prayer interval. He may then pray as many times as he may wish during this prayer interval. At the onset of a new prayer interval, the absolution performed in the last interval is no longer valid and the stoma patient should perform a new absolution for the new prayer interval and so on (for each of the five prayer intervals.)

“Allah, Glory to be him is more knowledgeable than all.”

First Signature
Chairman of Fatwa Commission of AL-AZHAR
Abd Allah Abd-Alkalik Al Mishad
8 Jumada 1, 1407
8 January 1987