January/February 2001
Page 4
Ruling Frees Muslim Ostomates
In the early days of ostomy surgery, people of Muslim faith often refused to have the operation. Wearing an appliance which contained excrement would forbid them from participating with others in prayer time. Muslims pray five times a day. It was, and is, impractical and unadvisable to clean an appliance and the affected skin area that often. And so a Muslim after the operation would be deprived of much of their social life.
A ruling from the Chairman of the Fatwa Commission of the University of Al Azhar in Cairo, Egypt clarified the issue and set many minds at ease. The ruling stated that an ostomate is considered to have a religiously legitimate excuse. Therefore, a Muslim ostomate can perform the prayers while wearing an unclean appliance, as the appliance is considered part of his or her own body when it is attached to the stoma. However, certain conditions apply:
- the ostomate must take fresh ablutions (the washing of the hands, face and feet) before performing each prayer
- there should not be any leakage during prayer time.
Source: Haji Zainuddin Mohd Tahir, President, Stoma Care Society of Malaysia; IOA Asian Ostomy Association Newsletter; via Metro Halifax News and Capital Region Newsletter (Apr. 2000), via Inside Out On-line Jan/Feb 2001.
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