I am a twenty-nine year old woman and I am suffering from a psychological illness that obliges me to use sleeping pills. Many times, I cannot wake up to pray the Fajr prayer in its time due to the effect of the medication. What is the ruling on this? Will I be punished for this?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and messenger.

The greatest pillar of Islam after Ash-Shahaadatayn (i.e. The two testimonies of faith) is prayer. Allaah The Almighty Warned us against neglecting it, Saying (what means):

•        {But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil.}[Quran 19: 59]

•        {So woe to those who pray. [But] who are heedless of their prayer.}[Quran 107: 4-5]

Moreover, Allaah The Almighty Did not Give an excuse for those facing their enemies in battlefields to leave prayer. This actually indicates its great importance and status.

The best thing that can cure a psychological illness is maintaining obligations and the greatest of them is prayer and keeping away from prohibitions as Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer – We will surely cause him to live a good life.}[Quran 16: 97] 

So if one adopts legal and divine causes along with putting their trust in Allaah The Almighty, He Will Cure him, Allaah Willing.

Delaying prayer from its due time will increase the sick person in nothing but more hardship and illness.

Accordingly, one should maintain performing prayers in their due times and avoid taking this matter lightly.

In spite of this fact, we say: If it is possible to take medication in a way that its effect does not contradict the times of prayer, then there is no doubt that this should be adopted.

If this is not possible and one does whatever is in his scope yet sleep overcomes him, then Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Allaah does not charge a soul except [with that within] its capacity.}[Quran 2: 286]

In a Marfoo‘ (i.e. traceable) Hadeeth reported by Abu Qataadah he mentions that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “Negligence (regarding the prayer) is not from oversleeping but it is found in the one who does not pray (while conscious and aware) until it is time for the next prayer.” [Ahmad and Ibn Hibbaan]

We ask Allaah The Almighty to Grant you and all other sick Muslim individuals a speedy recovery.