What is the ruling for a person unable to signal prayer with their head?
Chapter on the Times When Prayer is Prohibited
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
If a person is unable to signal prayer with their head, they must signal with their eye movements and intend the prayer in their heart. Prayer is not waived for them as long as their intellect remains sound. This ruling applies because the individual is a mature, sane Muslim, and prayer is thus obligatory upon them, similar to one capable of signaling with their head, as they retain the capacity for signaling. Furthermore, they are considered similar to the original case (the one who can nod their head) since they possess some capacity for signaling.
Supporting text
It is narrated from Abu Hanifa that prayer is waived for such an individual. This view is supported by a narration from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri, who, when reminded of prayer during his illness, replied, "It has sufficed me; indeed, actions are only binding during health." This position is also supported by the principle that prayer consists of actions the individual is completely incapable of performing, necessitating its cancellation based on the verse, "Allah does not burden any soul beyond that it can bear" (Quran 2:286).