Praying at a Distance from the Fan Due to Weakness and Illness

Question

I am about forty-seven years old, and my nervous weakness (weakness of the brain) has increased considerably. A few years ago I had melancholia. I often suffer from colds and catarrh. In this condition, standing under the electric fan in the mosque at the time of the congregation aggravates my catarrh and the like even further, as a result of which my nervous weakness increases still more and I have to endure severe distress. For in the mosques around our neighbourhood many electric fans have been installed.

Answer

The fans cannot be switched off on your account, because all the worshippers would be inconvenienced, while the fan harms you. Therefore you are ma‘dhur (excused). You may also hold a congregation at your home, taking one or two people with you. If one or two people are with you, there is also latitude to [stand] away from the fan.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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