But if they are genuinely unable to learn the rulings of the prayer—even though they know that the prayer is obligatory and required of them—and they have no one to clarify those rulings for them and no way to contact scholars, then they should pray according to their circumstances, and their prayer is sound. This is based on the Almighty’s statement, “So fear Allah as much as you are able” (64:16), and on the Prophet’s ﷺ words, “When I command you to do something, carry out of it whatever you are able.”

Question: If there are among them people of knowledge and jurisprudence who are capable of teaching and guiding them, but they do not do so, do those scholars incur sin?

Answer: If the students of knowledge and the jurists fail to perform their duty, the laypeople must approach them, ask about what is unclear to them, and not remain in ignorance when guidance is available, because Allah the Exalted says, “So ask the people of remembrance if you do not know” (21:7). Allah has charged the uninformed to ask the scholars whenever they do not know something of the obligatory rulings, and the scholars are obliged to convey the message.