QUESTION:
What isthe ruling on taking pain medication or any other medication that makes you sleepy and drowsy? Is one permitted to go to the Masjid and perform Salaah with Jamaat, or is it better to perform at home? The medication does interfere with concentration as well.
ANSWER:
If pain killers have been prescribed by a doctor as treatment for excessive pain, then using the treatment is permitted. If the treatment (pain killers) is of such a strong nature that it could lead to severe drowsiness which is a risk factor if one drives or walks to the Masjid, then one may perform Salaah at home. However, if the pain killers are of a mild nature (such as a Panado) and merely used to decrease pain, then as far as possible one should try to attend the Jamaat Salaah.
يسقط حضور الجماعة بواحد من ثمانية عشر شيئا مطر وبرد وخوف وظلمة وحبس وعمى وفلج وقطع يد ورجل وسقام وإقعاد ووحل وزمانة وشيخوخة وتكرار فقه بجماعة تفوته وحضور طعام تتوقه نفسه وإرادة سفر وقيامه بمريض وشدة ريح ليلا لا نهارا وإذا انقطع عن الجماعة لعذر من أعذارها المبيحة للتخلف يحصل له ثوابها (نور الايضاح ص51 ج1)
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 14 Rajab 1445 / 26 January 2024
