Assalamaleykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,
My mother decided to revert to Islam few month ago alhamdulillah. She has Alzheimer’s disease and has learning disabilities. She cannot learn anything and her memory is decreasing every day. I was wondering what was her responsibilities regarding worship.
She doesn’t have the ability to learn how to pray and hardly understand the meaning of the translation of the salah. Her reading and writing are bad. What should she do? She doesn’t wear hijab at the moment. She’s 57-years-old, divorced and doesn’t want to remarry.
Should she be wearing hijab? Would she be rewarded for it? Which kind of easy act of worship could she be doing to replace what she’s missing?
JezzakAllah kheiran
All praise be to Allah and may His blessings and peace be on His messenger, Muhammad,
Congratulations on your mother’s acceptance of Islam.
Allah said,
“لا يُكَلِّفُ اللَّهُ نَفْساً إِلَّا وُسْعَهَا”
“Allah burdens not a person beyond his scope.” [2/286]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“رفع القلم عن ثلاثة عن الصبي حتى يبلغ وعن النائم حتى يستيقظ وعن المعتوه حتى يبرأ.”
“Three (individuals) shall not be held accountable, the boy until he reaches puberty, the one asleep until he wakes up, and the insane until he recovers.” [Abu Dawood from Aly.]
The insane applies to those with various forms of altered consciousness or mental challenges making them unable to comprehend and retain information and distinguish right from wrong.
Your mother should still wear hijab, but she is only responsible for that if she remembers. Also, hijab for older women who have no desire for marriage has lighter regulations. You should remind her whenever possible. She will be rewarded for wearing it as long as she is seeking Allah’s pleasure by doing so.
The best thing you should encourage her to do is dhikr. Mu’adh ibn Jabal said,
“سألت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أي الأعمال أحب إلى الله قال أن تموت ولسانك رطب من ذكر الله.”
I asked the Messenger of Allah, which of the deeds is more beloved to Allah, He said: “to die while your tongue is wet with the remembrance of Allah.” (Ibn Hibban)
Try to teach her the simplest adhkaar, such as Allah Akbar. If she can memorize “la ilaha illa Allah” that would be the best dhikr to make.
Allah knows best.