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The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, when he fell ill, would stay back from the congregational prayer, (1) even though his house was beside the mosque.
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Ibn Mas‘ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said: “I remember when none would stay away from the prayer except a hypocrite whose hypocrisy was known, or a sick person …” (2)
All of these proofs indicate that the obligation to attend the Friday prayer and the congregational prayer is waived for the sick person.
His statement, “and one resisting either of the two impure matters”: this is a second type of excuse for missing the Friday prayer and the congregational prayer.
The expression “resisting” indicates that a person is exerting himself to hold back either of the two impure matters.
The two impure matters are urine and feces; flatulence is included with them, for some people suffer from gas that bloats their stomachs and causes them severe discomfort. It may be more difficult for them than holding back urine or feces. The evidence for this is as follows:
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The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “There is no prayer when food is present, nor while one is resisting the two impure matters.” (3) Here, the negation carries the meaning of prohibition; that is, do not pray when food is present, nor while resisting the two impure matters.
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Resisting them causes the heart to be distracted from the prayer, and this