Autism or ADHD, Is moving or swaying while performing dhikr or salah permissible if it is due to a medical condition ?

Praise be to Allah

Summary:

Moving or swaying while performing dhikr or salah due to a medical condition, such as Autism or ADHD, can be permissible given the specific circumstances.

Detailed Answer:

Dhikr, or the remembrance of Allah, is an important practice in Islam, typically performed with a sense of calm and focus. However, individual circumstances, such as medical conditions, are taken into account in Islam.

For individuals with conditions like autism or ADHD, involuntary movements or the need to move may be unavoidable. These movements are not intended to introduce a new form of worship but are rather a response to their physical or mental condition. Therefore, it is permissible for such individuals to move or sway during dhikr as it helps them engage in the practice meaningfully.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah and other scholars have stressed the importance of intention in acts of worship. If the movement is due to a medical necessity and not intended as a form of religious innovation, it is considered a personal accommodation rather than a bid’ah (innovation).

However, adjustments made to accommodate personal health needs do not fall under this category. Islam emphasizes ease and accommodation for those with special needs, aligning with the broader principles of mercy and compassion in the religion.

• Intention and Context:
  • The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Actions are judged by intentions.” (Sahih Bukhari, 1)
  • If the movement is due to a medical necessity and not intended as an act of worship itself, the intention is not to innovate but to manage a condition.
• Accommodations for Disabilities:
  • Islam provides accommodations for those with disabilities or medical conditions. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) made concessions for individuals based on their abilities, as seen in various hadiths.
• Islamic Jurisprudence on Necessities:
  • Scholars like Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah emphasize that necessities can make exceptions to general rules. This is a well-established principle in Islamic jurisprudence known as “necessities permit the prohibited” (darurat tubih al-mahzurat).
• Scholarly Opinions:
  • Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen and other contemporary scholars have discussed that when actions are influenced by medical or psychological conditions, they are judged differently than deliberate innovations in religious practices.

Conclusion: In conclusion, if movement during dhikr is due to a medical condition and not intended to modify the act of worship, it is permissible. The key is the intention behind the practice, focusing on the remembrance of Allah while accommodating individual health needs.

And Allah knows best.