Salah of a disabled or unconscious person

Q: My father is over eighty years old. Three years ago he suffered a stroke. As a result, he was confined to bed and that was where he performed Salah (Prayer). His illness is getting worse now, to the extent that he can not get up to perform Wudu' (ablution). Based on my own Ijtihad (personal effort to infer a legal ruling) I told him to perform Tayammum (dry ablution) with earth, and I got a pot of earth for him. Is this permissible? His condition became worse, and he now sometimes loses consciousness. This makes him forget what he has done. He has not been performing Salah for about a year now. Is he excused from Salah under these conditions, as he can neither sit to make Wudu' nor can he move, except with the help of others. He is so unaware that he does not know the people who are sitting in front of him or who are talking to him, and he is no longer able to speak. About a week ago, he stopped eating and drinking and was sleeping a lot. What (Part No. 8; Page No. 72) is the ruling on his Salah? Is it permissible for me to offer Salah on his behalf? Please answer me to let me know how to deal with my father and may Allah reward you!

A: Firstly, there is nothing wrong with your father using earth for purification, if he is unable to use water. Secondly, if your father loses consciousness due to the severity of his condition and is not aware of anything, he does not have to perform Salah, because responsibility for Salah depends on consciousness. Thirdly, it is not permissible for you to perform Salah on behalf of your father, because no one can pray on behalf of someone else; it cannot be delegated at all. What you should do is to supplicate to Allah to forgive your father, give charity on his behalf, and treat him well during his lifetime and after his death.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his Companions!