Question:
Salaams dear shuyukh, my father was diagnosed with alcoholic encephalopathy some months ago but hid the diagnosis from us. He is not in his right mind and has repeatedly expressed his wish to die. When we try to feed and bathe him, he curses at us. What should we do as the process of feeding him against his will has become a type of abuse for both him and us, though it is necessary to keep him alive. My heart says not to listen to his wishes because letting someone die doesn’t seem to be the Islamic way. Please advise dear shuyukh and Eid mubarak.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
Your father is doing what people do when they reach the stage of senility. He is not obligated to follow shari’ah, to pray or fast, and any vows, oaths or orders spoken by him are invalid.
Imam Senad Agic
American Islamic Center – Chicago
Majlis #1 Head Imam (IABNA)
www.aicchicago.com
www.imamsenadagic.com
www.iabna.org
