Understanding solah compliance and adherence among hospitalized Muslims: A critical survey on the barriers, challenges, and systemic perspectives

Authors

  • Nurul Hazirah Elias Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Mohd Ariff Sharifudin Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Mai Nurul Ashikin Taib Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Yuzana Mohd Yusop Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Anas Mohd Yunus Anas Mohd Yunus Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.
  • Al Hafiz Ibrahim Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Malaysia.
  • Muhammad Shahrul Azwan Mohd Shafie Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp247-272

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Prayer (Solah) is a fundamental obligation for Muslims, essential for spiritual and mental well-being. However, hospitalized Muslim patients often neglect this practice due to various barriers, rarely explored from their perspective. This study investigates the barriers, disabilities, and systemic factors affecting solah compliance and adherence in orthopaedic wards, particularly within the Ibadah-Friendly Hospital (IFH) framework.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 203 Muslim patients (aged 20–75 years) admitted to orthopaedic wards of a tertiary hospital. Self-reported questionnaires assessed prayer practices, disabilities, knowledge gaps, and exposure to IFH campaigns. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Findings: More than half (52.2%) of patients did not perform any prayers, while 36.1% performed some, citing Subuh and Asr as the most difficult. Barriers included mobility limitations (p=0.009), toileting challenges (p=0.009), knowledge gaps about rukhsah (p=0.031), insufficient assistance (p=0.006), and embarrassment (p=0.035). Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use (p=0.001 and p=0.034) further impacted adherence. Exposure to IFH campaigns improved compliance (p=0.019).

Contributions: This study highlights the need for education, tailored assistance, and improved hospital infrastructure. Strengthening IFH initiatives and integrating Muslim chaplainship can enhance solah adherence, fostering holistic care for Muslim patients.

Keywords: Muslim patients, ibadah-friendly hospital, barriers to religious practices, patient disabilities, hospitalization.

Author Biographies

  • Nurul Hazirah Elias, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Dr. Nurul Hazirah Elias is an M.Sc. candidate in Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA). She earned her MBBS from Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) in 2016 and currently serves as a Medical Officer at Klinik Perubatan Ku, a primary healthcare clinic.

  • Mohd Ariff Sharifudin, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Ariff Sharifudin is a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Hospital Sultan Zainal Abidin and a Clinical Lecturer at UniSZA’s Faculty of Medicine. He leads the Research Cluster (Medicine & Healthcare) under UniSZA’s Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation). His passion for the Islamization of medical knowledge and practice was cultivated during his years at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), his alma mater, where he previously studied and worked.

  • Mai Nurul Ashikin Taib, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mai Nurul Ashikin Taib is a Consultant Paediatrician at Hospital Sultan Zainal Abidin and a Clinical Lecturer at UniSZA. With experience in both public and private healthcare, her research focuses on paediatric musculoskeletal disorders, child nutrition, and clinical assessment tools. She has served as a reviewer and grant evaluator for national and international panels.

  • Yuzana Mohd Yusop, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, Jalan Sultan Mahmud, 20400 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yuzana Mohd Yusop, a University Lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, UniSZA, holds multidisciplinary qualifications, including a first degree in Social Work Management (UUM), a master’s degree in Health Promotion (UKM), and a Ph.D. in Psychology (Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom). She is actively involved in health promotion, media campaigns, and national-level health behaviour research.

  • Anas Mohd Yunus Anas Mohd Yunus, Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anas Mohd Yunus received his early education at SK Selekoh and SMKA Sultan Azlan Shah. He holds a degree in Syariah from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), a PhD in Fiqh and Usul from Universiti Malaya (UM), and studied classical texts (turath) at Madrasah Irshadiah and Al-Azhar University. Currently, he heads the Centre for Turath Studies at UniSZA.

  • Al Hafiz Ibrahim, Department of Orthopaedics, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan. Malaysia.

    Dr. Al Hafiz Ibrahim is a Rehabilitation Physician at Hospital Pakar Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and a Lecturer at USM’s School of Medical Sciences. Specialising in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, his research explores robotic-assisted therapy, neuroplasticity, and community-based rehabilitation models. Actively engaged in multidisciplinary collaborations, he also contributes to postgraduate education in rehabilitation medicine.

  • Muhammad Shahrul Azwan Mohd Shafie, Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin, 21300 Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia.

    Muhammad Shahrul Azwan Mohd Shafie graduated with a bachelor’s in Islamic studies (Syariah Islamiah, 2023) from Al-Azhar University, Cairo. Since 2024, he has served as a teacher at Pusat Tafaqquh fi Ad-Din Tok Syeikh Duyung under the Terengganu Islamic Education Department. He is currently pursuing a master’s in Islamic studies at UniSZA’s Faculty of Islamic Contemporary Studies.

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Published

2025-07-31

Issue

Vol. 10 No. 2: Journal of Nusantara Studies(JONUS)

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Understanding solah compliance and adherence among hospitalized Muslims: A critical survey on the barriers, challenges, and systemic perspectives. (2025). Journal of Nusantara Studies (JONUS), 10(2), 247-272. https://doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol10iss2pp247-272