1.0 THE VISION SYSTEM
A
blind person is not obliged to attend Friday prayers, salat al jama'at, congregational
prayers, salat al jumu'at, and pilgrimage,
hajj. if he has no guide. He can be a caller to prayer, muaddhin, only if someone can tell him the correct time. He can also be the prayer leader, imaam. He can be a public leader if the visual impairment does not impair performance of leadership functions.
He cannot be a judge because of inability to see witnesses and assess their demeanor. He can be a scholar or a mufti.
A
blind person can testify in court if the evidence does not involve sight. He can marry if measures are taken ensure enough
mutual knowledge of the future spouses based on other senses or on information from third parties. He can be the guardian
who gives away the bride, wali, if he knew the spouses before getting blind and
can recognize both using other senses. Selling and buying by a blind person can take place in transactions where fraud is
unlikely. Blind persons can offer professional services if there is no possibility of harm due to their lack of sight.
2.0 THE AUDITORY SYSTEM
A
deaf person is obliged to attend Friday prayers, salat al jumu’at, if others
hear the call to prayer, adhan, and inform him. He can be a caller to prayer, muaddhin, if he can tell the correct time. He can be the prayer leader, imaam. He can follow the prayer leader by watching what the imam does
although he cannot hear. He can teach Qur’an but it is preferred he does not do so because he cannot hear and correct
mispronunciations by the pupils. He is not obliged to return greetings, salaam,
because he cannot hear but is obliged to respond to greetings by sign language.
Deafness
reduces competence as a leader but is not an absolute contra-indication. A deaf judge will not be able to discharge duties
fully. A deaf person can be a scholar and can give religious rulings if he can read the questions and answer by writing or
by sign language. He cannot be a witness over matters that required perfect hearing. He can contract a marriage by use of
reading or sign language. He can declare divorce. He can buy and sell as long as he understands the transaction and can communicate
in writing or by sign language. It is forbidden for a deaf person to engage in any professional work for which hearing is
necessary. In vestibular disturbances standing up in salat or tawaaf may require support.
3.0
THE OLFACTORY SYSTEM
In
hyposmia the victim may not be able to smell flatus and thus may continue praying with an invalid ablution, wudhu. Hyperosmia and parosmia may results in unnecessary concern about presence of filth, najasat, where
it is insignificant.
The
halitosis associated with fasting is due to reduced oral cleansing action of saliva. It can be reduced by increased oral hygiene.
Halitosis due to disease or poor oral hygiene may make social intercourse difficult. It is especially offensive in the mosque.
Impairment
of the taste sensation may reduce enjoyment of food. It may also impair ability to discriminate dangerous things and avoiding
swallowing them.
Use
of perfume to control body odor in public places like the mosque is mandatory to avoid annoying others. Body or oral odor
may cause so much distress in a marriage that it may lead to divorce.
Impaired
smell may make transactions involving perfumes invalid because the buyer cannot identify what is being bought. Similarly impaired
smell may lead to buying of rotten products without knowing their true state. Court evidence based on smell may not acceptable
in situations of olfactory disorders.
3.0
THE TASTE SYSTEM
If
taste is defective, it will not be possible to tell that water is polluted and is not suitable for use. Enjoyment of food
decreases when the sense of smell is defective. Dangerous food may also be consumed if it cannot be tasted.
In
selling food and drinks, the buyer may use taste to make sure the product is wholesome. This is not possible when the sense
of taste is defective. Evidence in court based on taste of products may not be accepted in cases of a defective taste sense.
Loss
of tactile sensation does not affect ablution,wudhu, and prayer, salat. It can lead to ingesting rough and dangerous materials. It impairs sexual sensation may lead to stresses
in marital life.
Loss
of tactile sensation may be a cause of accidents at work.
The
integrity of the tactile sensation is considered when assessing certain types of court evidence.
An
impaired sensation of temperature may result in unnecessary exposure and heat stroke in the hot desert climate of Hejaz during hajj.
Hot
and therefore harmful food may be eaten when temperature sensation is impaired.
Inability
to adjust to extreme climatic conditions may be grounds for divorce if a promise was made in the marriage contract that the
spouse will not be taken to another country.
Workers
must not be exposed to extremes of temperature.
Extreme
pain may prevent concentration in prayer, salat. Pain may cause insomnia. Chronic
pain due to PID and other causes of dyspareunia may create marital stress. Chronic pain may lead to psychological stress.
Severe pain may lead to criminal behavior.
Salat is delayed in cases of extreme hunger and thirst sensation. Loss of the hunger sensation is dangerous to life. Inability
to extinguish the feeling of hunger with food intake may lead to loss of appetite control. Children may be severely undernourished
when they do not feel hungry and refuse to eat food. Extremes of pain may lead to crime