Praying on Time Despite Dizziness Caused by Anesthesia

7-4-2026 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalamualaikum , if i pray after having done surgery and i still feel the effects of the anesthesia, when can i pray? do i ask the docter when the effects will go away , or do i just go based on how my body feels? Do i have to wait till i feel 100% normal or if im a little dizzy can i pray? What if time of the prayer runs out and i still feel a little dizzy ?

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad () is His Slave and Messenger.

It is obligatory upon you to hasten to perform the prayer at its proper time, even if you feel dizzy. You should not wait until the effect of that medication wears off; rather, you must pray according to your condition.

As long as your mind is sound and your awareness is present, the prayer remains obligatory. The obligation of prayer is only lifted from a person when the mind is no longer present.

Therefore, you must pray according to your ability: if you are able to stand, then pray standing; if you are unable to stand, then pray sitting; if you are unable to sit, then pray on your side, indicating the bowing and prostration with gestures, and making the prostration lower than the bowing.

The prayer is not waived from you due to dizziness or anything else. There is no need to consult a doctor regarding this; rather, you must hasten to perform it, for it is the pillar of this religion and the most important of its pillars after the two testimonies of faith.

Allah Knows best