سنن نسائي
Nasai
كتاب الصلاةThe Book of Salah
بَابُ : الْحُكْمِ فِي تَارِكِ الصَّلاَةِChapter: The Ruling On One Who Does Not Perform Salah
Hadith 465
اُردوEn
أَخْبَرَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ رَبِيعَةَ ، عَنْ ابْنِ جُرَيْجٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ ، قال : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : " لَيْسَ بَيْنَ الْعَبْدِ وَبَيْنَ الْكُفْرِ إِلَّا تَرْكُ الصَّلَاةِ " .
´It was narrated that Jabir said:` "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'There is nothing between a person and disbelief except abandoning Salah.'"
Related hadith on this topic
Explanation & Benefits
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
465. Commentary:
➊ "The distinction between a Muslim and a disbeliever is through the prayer." Because among the pillars of Islam, this is the only pillar by which a Muslim can be recognized. The testimony of faith (shahadatayn) is performed only occasionally, and it is not something visible. Its affirmation is done in the heart. Fasting (sawm) is also a hidden matter. The payment of zakat is obligatory only upon the wealthy, once a year, and it is not necessarily done openly. Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime, and that too only upon those who are able. Therefore, prayer (salah) is the only pillar that is obligatory five times a day upon every rich and poor, man and woman, old and young, healthy and sick. And it is a visible act. It is performed openly with the call to prayer (adhan) and in congregation (jama‘ah). So what greater distinction can there be for a Muslim than this?
➋ "Whoever abandons it has committed disbelief (kufr)." Because the person who never performs prayer at all has completely abandoned the prayer. Apparently, there is no difference between him and a disbeliever; that is, outwardly he appears like the disbelievers. In any case, abandoning the prayer is the act of disbelievers. The one who does not pray has committed an act of disbelief, but since there are also acts of Islam present in him, such as the affirmation and testimony of the shahadatayn, etc., therefore he is not an outright disbeliever, but is a disbeliever within the bounds of Islam. Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has called this «کفر دون کفر». See: [صحیح البخاري ، الإیمان ، باب کفران العشیر وکفر دون کفر ، رقم الباب : 21]
That is, a lesser degree of disbelief than major disbelief, by which he does not exit the fold of Islam. Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, based on the apparent wording, has called him an outright disbeliever. And Allah knows best.
➌ "The only difference is the abandonment of prayer." Because by abandoning the prayer, the distinction of the Muslim is lost, and thus his connection is linked to disbelief (kufr).
➊ "The distinction between a Muslim and a disbeliever is through the prayer." Because among the pillars of Islam, this is the only pillar by which a Muslim can be recognized. The testimony of faith (shahadatayn) is performed only occasionally, and it is not something visible. Its affirmation is done in the heart. Fasting (sawm) is also a hidden matter. The payment of zakat is obligatory only upon the wealthy, once a year, and it is not necessarily done openly. Hajj is obligatory only once in a lifetime, and that too only upon those who are able. Therefore, prayer (salah) is the only pillar that is obligatory five times a day upon every rich and poor, man and woman, old and young, healthy and sick. And it is a visible act. It is performed openly with the call to prayer (adhan) and in congregation (jama‘ah). So what greater distinction can there be for a Muslim than this?
➋ "Whoever abandons it has committed disbelief (kufr)." Because the person who never performs prayer at all has completely abandoned the prayer. Apparently, there is no difference between him and a disbeliever; that is, outwardly he appears like the disbelievers. In any case, abandoning the prayer is the act of disbelievers. The one who does not pray has committed an act of disbelief, but since there are also acts of Islam present in him, such as the affirmation and testimony of the shahadatayn, etc., therefore he is not an outright disbeliever, but is a disbeliever within the bounds of Islam. Imam al-Bukhari rahimahullah has called this «کفر دون کفر». See: [صحیح البخاري ، الإیمان ، باب کفران العشیر وکفر دون کفر ، رقم الباب : 21]
That is, a lesser degree of disbelief than major disbelief, by which he does not exit the fold of Islam. Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, based on the apparent wording, has called him an outright disbeliever. And Allah knows best.
➌ "The only difference is the abandonment of prayer." Because by abandoning the prayer, the distinction of the Muslim is lost, and thus his connection is linked to disbelief (kufr).
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 465
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
From this hadith, the status, rank, and importance of prayer (salah) within Islam becomes clear.
Based on this hadith, Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak rahimahullah, Ibn Rahwayh rahimahullah, and other imams declare the one who abandons prayer to be a disbeliever (kafir).
If a person abandons prayer while denying its obligation, then by unanimous agreement he is a disbeliever (kafir) and outside the fold of Islam.
However, if he abandons prayer out of laziness, negligence, or poor practice while still accepting it as obligatory, then according to Imam Malik rahimahullah, Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah, and the majority of the early and later scholars (jumhur salaf wa khalaf), he will be considered a transgressor (fasiq).
He will be made to repent; if he repents and pledges to perform prayer, he will be left alone. Otherwise, the government will execute him as a legal punishment (hadd).
According to Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, he will be considered an apostate (murtadd). Therefore, he will be executed on account of apostasy.
According to Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and some of the scholars of Kufa, he will be imprisoned, and he will not be released from prison until he repents and pledges to perform prayer.
According to Mawlana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani rahimahullah, in the Hanafi view, he will be imprisoned and beaten severely, to the extent that blood flows from his body. He will be kept hungry and thirsty, and every kind of punishment and hardship will be inflicted upon him, until he either dies or repents.
(Fadl al-Bari: 1/388)
Despite this explicit clarification from the imams of the religion, the attitude of the Muslim community regarding prayer is not hidden from anyone.
(Sharh Sahih Muslim: 1/61)
From this hadith, the status, rank, and importance of prayer (salah) within Islam becomes clear.
Based on this hadith, Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak rahimahullah, Ibn Rahwayh rahimahullah, and other imams declare the one who abandons prayer to be a disbeliever (kafir).
If a person abandons prayer while denying its obligation, then by unanimous agreement he is a disbeliever (kafir) and outside the fold of Islam.
However, if he abandons prayer out of laziness, negligence, or poor practice while still accepting it as obligatory, then according to Imam Malik rahimahullah, Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah, and the majority of the early and later scholars (jumhur salaf wa khalaf), he will be considered a transgressor (fasiq).
He will be made to repent; if he repents and pledges to perform prayer, he will be left alone. Otherwise, the government will execute him as a legal punishment (hadd).
According to Imam Ahmad rahimahullah, he will be considered an apostate (murtadd). Therefore, he will be executed on account of apostasy.
According to Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and some of the scholars of Kufa, he will be imprisoned, and he will not be released from prison until he repents and pledges to perform prayer.
According to Mawlana Shabbir Ahmad Usmani rahimahullah, in the Hanafi view, he will be imprisoned and beaten severely, to the extent that blood flows from his body. He will be kept hungry and thirsty, and every kind of punishment and hardship will be inflicted upon him, until he either dies or repents.
(Fadl al-Bari: 1/388)
Despite this explicit clarification from the imams of the religion, the attitude of the Muslim community regarding prayer is not hidden from anyone.
(Sharh Sahih Muslim: 1/61)
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 247
Shaykh Dr. Abdur Rahman Freywai
Explanation:
1:
From this hadith, it is understood that the boundary between disbelief (kufr) and the servant is the prayer (salah).
If he performs the prayer, then he is a believer;
otherwise, he is a disbeliever.
The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) did not consider the abandonment of any righteous deed to be disbelief,
except for the prayer.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) states:
The majority of people are not consistent in performing the five daily prayers, nor do they abandon them completely; rather, sometimes they pray and sometimes they do not.
Such people possess both faith (iman) and hypocrisy (nifaq).
The outward rulings of Islam will be applied to them,
because when these rulings were applied to a pure hypocrite like Abdullah bin Ubayy, then all the more so will they be applied to those who are negligent and lazy regarding the prayer.
1:
From this hadith, it is understood that the boundary between disbelief (kufr) and the servant is the prayer (salah).
If he performs the prayer, then he is a believer;
otherwise, he is a disbeliever.
The noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) did not consider the abandonment of any righteous deed to be disbelief,
except for the prayer.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) states:
The majority of people are not consistent in performing the five daily prayers, nor do they abandon them completely; rather, sometimes they pray and sometimes they do not.
Such people possess both faith (iman) and hypocrisy (nifaq).
The outward rulings of Islam will be applied to them,
because when these rulings were applied to a pure hypocrite like Abdullah bin Ubayy, then all the more so will they be applied to those who are negligent and lazy regarding the prayer.
Source: Sunan al-Tirmidhi – Majlis ‘Ilmi Dar al-Da‘wah, New Delhi Edition, Page: 2618
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
It is understood that action is a part of faith. Allamah Khattabi rahimahullah has written that there are three scenarios regarding abandoning the prayer (salah):
➊ To absolutely deny the prayer, that is, to believe that it is not a part of the religion—this belief is, by consensus, explicit disbelief (kufr). In fact, denial of anything established in the religion in this manner is disbelief.
➋ To miss the prayer out of negligence or forgetfulness—a person is not, by consensus of the Ummah, a disbeliever (kafir).
➌ To deliberately abandon the prayer without denying it—regarding such a person, the Imams have differed. Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, Ibn al-Mubarak, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ishaq ibn Rahwayh hold the view that whoever deliberately and continuously abandons the prayer until its time passes is a disbeliever (kafir).
Imam Ahmad said: “We do not declare anyone a disbeliever for any sin except the one who abandons the prayer.”
A stricter position is that of Imam Mak’hool and Imam Shafi’i, who say that the one who abandons the prayer should be killed in the same manner as a disbeliever is killed, but for this reason he does not exit the fold of the religion (millet).
He will be buried in the Muslims’ graveyard.
His family will inherit from him.
Several companions of Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah have said that his funeral prayer should not be performed.
Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and his companions say that the one who abandons the prayer should be imprisoned and given corporal punishment until he begins to pray.
It is understood that action is a part of faith. Allamah Khattabi rahimahullah has written that there are three scenarios regarding abandoning the prayer (salah):
➊ To absolutely deny the prayer, that is, to believe that it is not a part of the religion—this belief is, by consensus, explicit disbelief (kufr). In fact, denial of anything established in the religion in this manner is disbelief.
➋ To miss the prayer out of negligence or forgetfulness—a person is not, by consensus of the Ummah, a disbeliever (kafir).
➌ To deliberately abandon the prayer without denying it—regarding such a person, the Imams have differed. Ibrahim al-Nakha’i, Ibn al-Mubarak, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and Ishaq ibn Rahwayh hold the view that whoever deliberately and continuously abandons the prayer until its time passes is a disbeliever (kafir).
Imam Ahmad said: “We do not declare anyone a disbeliever for any sin except the one who abandons the prayer.”
A stricter position is that of Imam Mak’hool and Imam Shafi’i, who say that the one who abandons the prayer should be killed in the same manner as a disbeliever is killed, but for this reason he does not exit the fold of the religion (millet).
He will be buried in the Muslims’ graveyard.
His family will inherit from him.
Several companions of Imam Shafi’i rahimahullah have said that his funeral prayer should not be performed.
Imam Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and his companions say that the one who abandons the prayer should be imprisoned and given corporal punishment until he begins to pray.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4678
Hafiz Imran Ayyub Lahori
The Legal Ruling on Abandoning Prayer
Among the pillars of Islam, prayer (salah) undoubtedly holds a position of great importance. Furthermore, it has been described as the pillar of the religion, and in numerous hadiths from the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, its immense virtue has been transmitted. Due to this significance and virtue, Allah the Exalted has mentioned it in the Noble Qur’an approximately eighty (80) times. For this reason, whoever denies the obligation of prayer and abandons it is, by consensus, a disbeliever (kafir). However, regarding the legal ruling on one who abandons it out of laziness and negligence while still believing in its obligation, the jurists of the Ummah have differed. The predominant view is that only the one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever, and the evidences for this are as follows:
➊ Regarding the polytheists, Allah the Exalted says: «فَاِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ» [التوبة: 11] “If they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in religion.” From this verse, it is clear that if they do not do so, then they are not your brothers in religion. It should also be noted here that brotherhood in religion is only severed by leaving Islam.
➋ «وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ» [الروم: 31] “Establish prayer and do not be among the polytheists.” The clear implication of this verse is that whoever abandons prayer is among the polytheists.
➌ It is narrated from Jabir radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «وبين الرجل وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاة»
“The difference between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer.”
[مسلم: 82، كتاب الإيمان: باب بيان إطلاق اسم الكفر على من ترك الصلاة أحمد 370/3، دارمي 280/1، أبو داود 4678، ترمذي 2618، ابن ماحة 1078، الحلية لأبي نعيم 256/8، بيهقي 366/3]
➍ It is narrated from Thawban radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «وبين العبد وبيـن الـكـفـر والإيمان الصلاة فإذا
تركها فقد أشرك» “Between a servant and disbelief and faith stands the prayer; so when he abandons it, he has committed shirk (polytheism).”
[صحيح: شرح أصول اعتقاد أهل السنة والجماعة للالكائي 822/4، اس كي سند صحيح مسلم كي شرط پر صحيح هے نيز امام منذريؒ نے بهي اسے حيح كها هے۔ الترغيب والترهيب 379/1]
➎ It is narrated from Buraydah radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «العهد الذى بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفر» “The covenant that distinguishes us from them (the disbelievers) is prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.”
[صحيح: صحيح ابن ماجة 884، المشكاة 574، ترمذى 2621، كتاب الإيمان: باب ما جاء فى ترك الصلاة، أحمد 346/5، نسائي 231/1، ابن ماجه 1079، حاكم 6/1 ابن أبى شيبة 34/11، دار قطني 52/2، بيهقى 366/3]
➏ It is narrated from Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «ولا تترك صلاة مكتوبة متعمدا فمن تركها متعمدا فقد برئت منه الذمة» “Do not deliberately abandon the obligatory prayer, for whoever deliberately abandons the obligatory prayer, the protection of Allah is lifted from him.”
[حسن: المشكاة 580، ابن ماجة 4034، كتاب الفتن: باب الصبر على البلاء]
➐ It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As radi Allahu anhu that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «مـن حـافـظ عليهـا كـانت لـه نورا و برهانا ونجاة يوم القيمة ومن لم يحافظ عليها لم تكن له نورا ولا برهانا ولا نجاة وكان يوم القيمة مع قارون و فرعون وهامان وأبي بن خلف» “Whoever guards his prayer, it will be a light, a proof, and a salvation for him on the Day of Resurrection. And whoever does not guard his prayer, it will not be a light, nor a proof, nor a salvation for him, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be with Qarun, Pharaoh, Haman, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf.”
[جيد: احمد 169/2، دارمي 301/2، مجمع البحرين 528، موارد 254، مشكل الآثار 229/4، شيخ الباني رقمطراز هيں كه امام منذري نے اس حديث كي سند كو صحيح كها هے۔ المشكاة 578]
➑ It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Shaqiq radi Allahu anhu that: «وكان أصحاب رسول الله لا يرون شيئا من الأعمال تركه كفر غير الصلاة» “The Companions of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not consider the abandonment of any deed as disbelief except for prayer.”
[صحيح: المشكاة 579، ترمذي 2622، كتاب الإيمان: باب ما جاء فى ترك الصلاة، حاكم 7/1]
➒ Umar radi Allahu anhu said: «لا حظ فى الإسلام لمن ترك الصلاة» “The one who abandons prayer has no share in Islam.”
[مؤطا 74، كتاب الطهارة: باب العمل فيمن غلبه الدم من جرح أو رعاف]
(Majority: Malik rahimahullah, Shafi’i rahimahullah) If someone abandons prayer out of mere laziness and negligence while believing in its obligation, he will not be a disbeliever but will become a transgressor (fasiq). If he repents, it is accepted; otherwise, like a married adulterer, he will be killed as a prescribed punishment (hadd), and he will be killed by the sword.
(Hanafis) Such a person is neither a disbeliever nor will he be killed; rather, he will be given some discretionary punishment (ta’zir) and will be imprisoned until he begins to pray.
(Ahmad rahimahullah) The one who abandons prayer will be killed due to his disbelief.
[الأم 424/1، الحاوى 525/2، روضة الطالبين 668/1، الأصل 400/1، الخرشي على مختصر سيدي خليل 138/2، المغنى 351/3، الإنصاف فى معرفة الراجح من الخلاف 401/1، القوانين الفقهية ص/ 42، بداية المجتهد 87/1، الشرح الصغير 238/1، معنى المحتاج 327/1، المهذب 51/1، كشاف القناع 263/1، الدر المختار 326/1، مغنى المحتاج 327/1 المهذب 51/1، كشاف القناع 263/1، الدر المختار 326/1، مراقي الفلاح ص: 60]
(Preferred View) The one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever, and if possible, he should be killed, as the evidences are as follows:
➊ It is narrated from Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «امرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله ويقيموا الصلاة ويؤتوا الزكوة» “I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and give zakah.”
[بخاري: 25، كتاب الإيمان: باب فان تابوا وأقاموا الصلاة وأتوا الزكوة ......، مسلم 22، دار قطني 232/1، بيهقي 92/3، ابن حبان 174، حاكم 387/1، دارقطني 231/1، شرح معاني الآثار 213/3، أحمد 345/2، ابن ماجة 3927]
➋ In light of this hadith, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu fought against those who denied zakah.
[نسائي 76_7، أبو يعلى 68، ابن خزيمة 2447، حاكم 368/1، مجمع الزوائد 30/1]
(Shawkani rahimahullah) The truth is that such a person is a disbeliever and deserving of being killed. [نيل الأوطار 424/1]
(Nawawi rahimahullah) If a person abandons prayer, there remains no barrier between him and disbelief.
[شرح مسلم للنووى 178/4]
(Shanqiti rahimahullah) The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. [أضواء البيان 311/4]
(Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri rahimahullah) Such people and disbelievers are equal. [تحفة الأحوذي 407/7]
(Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah) Whoever abandons prayer and persists in this abandonment, and then dies in such a state, dies as a disbeliever. [الصارم المسلول 554، مجموع الفتاوي 97/20]
(Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah) He expressed amazement at those who, despite believing in the obligation of prayer, do not consider those who abandon it to be disbelievers. [كتاب الصلاة ص 62]
(Shaykh Uthaymin rahimahullah) The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. [رسالة: حكم تارك الصلاة]
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen rahimahullah) Whoever deliberately abandons prayer, the ruling of disbelief will be applied to him. [الفتاوى الإسلامية 296/1]
(Saudi Council of Fatwa) The correct view among the statements of the scholars is that whoever abandons prayer out of laziness and negligence (deliberately, without excuse) becomes a disbeliever. [الفتاوى الإسلامية 311/1-312]
. . . For the original article, see . . .
Fiqh al-Hadith by Imran Ayyub Lahori, Volume 1, p. 296
Among the pillars of Islam, prayer (salah) undoubtedly holds a position of great importance. Furthermore, it has been described as the pillar of the religion, and in numerous hadiths from the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, its immense virtue has been transmitted. Due to this significance and virtue, Allah the Exalted has mentioned it in the Noble Qur’an approximately eighty (80) times. For this reason, whoever denies the obligation of prayer and abandons it is, by consensus, a disbeliever (kafir). However, regarding the legal ruling on one who abandons it out of laziness and negligence while still believing in its obligation, the jurists of the Ummah have differed. The predominant view is that only the one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever, and the evidences for this are as follows:
➊ Regarding the polytheists, Allah the Exalted says: «فَاِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ» [التوبة: 11] “If they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in religion.” From this verse, it is clear that if they do not do so, then they are not your brothers in religion. It should also be noted here that brotherhood in religion is only severed by leaving Islam.
➋ «وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ» [الروم: 31] “Establish prayer and do not be among the polytheists.” The clear implication of this verse is that whoever abandons prayer is among the polytheists.
➌ It is narrated from Jabir radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «وبين الرجل وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاة»
“The difference between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer.”
[مسلم: 82، كتاب الإيمان: باب بيان إطلاق اسم الكفر على من ترك الصلاة أحمد 370/3، دارمي 280/1، أبو داود 4678، ترمذي 2618، ابن ماحة 1078، الحلية لأبي نعيم 256/8، بيهقي 366/3]
➍ It is narrated from Thawban radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «وبين العبد وبيـن الـكـفـر والإيمان الصلاة فإذا
تركها فقد أشرك» “Between a servant and disbelief and faith stands the prayer; so when he abandons it, he has committed shirk (polytheism).”
[صحيح: شرح أصول اعتقاد أهل السنة والجماعة للالكائي 822/4، اس كي سند صحيح مسلم كي شرط پر صحيح هے نيز امام منذريؒ نے بهي اسے حيح كها هے۔ الترغيب والترهيب 379/1]
➎ It is narrated from Buraydah radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «العهد الذى بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفر» “The covenant that distinguishes us from them (the disbelievers) is prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.”
[صحيح: صحيح ابن ماجة 884، المشكاة 574، ترمذى 2621، كتاب الإيمان: باب ما جاء فى ترك الصلاة، أحمد 346/5، نسائي 231/1، ابن ماجه 1079، حاكم 6/1 ابن أبى شيبة 34/11، دار قطني 52/2، بيهقى 366/3]
➏ It is narrated from Abu Darda radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «ولا تترك صلاة مكتوبة متعمدا فمن تركها متعمدا فقد برئت منه الذمة» “Do not deliberately abandon the obligatory prayer, for whoever deliberately abandons the obligatory prayer, the protection of Allah is lifted from him.”
[حسن: المشكاة 580، ابن ماجة 4034، كتاب الفتن: باب الصبر على البلاء]
➐ It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As radi Allahu anhu that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «مـن حـافـظ عليهـا كـانت لـه نورا و برهانا ونجاة يوم القيمة ومن لم يحافظ عليها لم تكن له نورا ولا برهانا ولا نجاة وكان يوم القيمة مع قارون و فرعون وهامان وأبي بن خلف» “Whoever guards his prayer, it will be a light, a proof, and a salvation for him on the Day of Resurrection. And whoever does not guard his prayer, it will not be a light, nor a proof, nor a salvation for him, and on the Day of Resurrection he will be with Qarun, Pharaoh, Haman, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf.”
[جيد: احمد 169/2، دارمي 301/2، مجمع البحرين 528، موارد 254، مشكل الآثار 229/4، شيخ الباني رقمطراز هيں كه امام منذري نے اس حديث كي سند كو صحيح كها هے۔ المشكاة 578]
➑ It is narrated from Abdullah ibn Shaqiq radi Allahu anhu that: «وكان أصحاب رسول الله لا يرون شيئا من الأعمال تركه كفر غير الصلاة» “The Companions of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam did not consider the abandonment of any deed as disbelief except for prayer.”
[صحيح: المشكاة 579، ترمذي 2622، كتاب الإيمان: باب ما جاء فى ترك الصلاة، حاكم 7/1]
➒ Umar radi Allahu anhu said: «لا حظ فى الإسلام لمن ترك الصلاة» “The one who abandons prayer has no share in Islam.”
[مؤطا 74، كتاب الطهارة: باب العمل فيمن غلبه الدم من جرح أو رعاف]
(Majority: Malik rahimahullah, Shafi’i rahimahullah) If someone abandons prayer out of mere laziness and negligence while believing in its obligation, he will not be a disbeliever but will become a transgressor (fasiq). If he repents, it is accepted; otherwise, like a married adulterer, he will be killed as a prescribed punishment (hadd), and he will be killed by the sword.
(Hanafis) Such a person is neither a disbeliever nor will he be killed; rather, he will be given some discretionary punishment (ta’zir) and will be imprisoned until he begins to pray.
(Ahmad rahimahullah) The one who abandons prayer will be killed due to his disbelief.
[الأم 424/1، الحاوى 525/2، روضة الطالبين 668/1، الأصل 400/1، الخرشي على مختصر سيدي خليل 138/2، المغنى 351/3، الإنصاف فى معرفة الراجح من الخلاف 401/1، القوانين الفقهية ص/ 42، بداية المجتهد 87/1، الشرح الصغير 238/1، معنى المحتاج 327/1، المهذب 51/1، كشاف القناع 263/1، الدر المختار 326/1، مغنى المحتاج 327/1 المهذب 51/1، كشاف القناع 263/1، الدر المختار 326/1، مراقي الفلاح ص: 60]
(Preferred View) The one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever, and if possible, he should be killed, as the evidences are as follows:
➊ It is narrated from Ibn Umar radi Allahu anhuma that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: «امرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله ويقيموا الصلاة ويؤتوا الزكوة» “I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wa sallam is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and give zakah.”
[بخاري: 25، كتاب الإيمان: باب فان تابوا وأقاموا الصلاة وأتوا الزكوة ......، مسلم 22، دار قطني 232/1، بيهقي 92/3، ابن حبان 174، حاكم 387/1، دارقطني 231/1، شرح معاني الآثار 213/3، أحمد 345/2، ابن ماجة 3927]
➋ In light of this hadith, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu anhu fought against those who denied zakah.
[نسائي 76_7، أبو يعلى 68، ابن خزيمة 2447، حاكم 368/1، مجمع الزوائد 30/1]
(Shawkani rahimahullah) The truth is that such a person is a disbeliever and deserving of being killed. [نيل الأوطار 424/1]
(Nawawi rahimahullah) If a person abandons prayer, there remains no barrier between him and disbelief.
[شرح مسلم للنووى 178/4]
(Shanqiti rahimahullah) The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. [أضواء البيان 311/4]
(Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri rahimahullah) Such people and disbelievers are equal. [تحفة الأحوذي 407/7]
(Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah) Whoever abandons prayer and persists in this abandonment, and then dies in such a state, dies as a disbeliever. [الصارم المسلول 554، مجموع الفتاوي 97/20]
(Ibn Qayyim rahimahullah) He expressed amazement at those who, despite believing in the obligation of prayer, do not consider those who abandon it to be disbelievers. [كتاب الصلاة ص 62]
(Shaykh Uthaymin rahimahullah) The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. [رسالة: حكم تارك الصلاة]
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen rahimahullah) Whoever deliberately abandons prayer, the ruling of disbelief will be applied to him. [الفتاوى الإسلامية 296/1]
(Saudi Council of Fatwa) The correct view among the statements of the scholars is that whoever abandons prayer out of laziness and negligence (deliberately, without excuse) becomes a disbeliever. [الفتاوى الإسلامية 311/1-312]
. . . For the original article, see . . .
Fiqh al-Hadith by Imran Ayyub Lahori, Volume 1, p. 296
Source: Fiqh al-Hadith, Volume One, Page: 296
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Prayer (salah) is among the fundamental pillars of Islam.
It has been obligatory in the law (shari‘ah) of every prophet.
For example, Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) was commanded at the very moment of the first revelation:
﴿إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي﴾ ( Taha: 14)
“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”
When Prophet ‘Isa (alayhis salam) spoke in the cradle,
he said:
﴿قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّـهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا ﴿30﴾ وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا﴾ ( Maryam: 30, 31)
(‘Isa [alayhis salam]) said:
“I am the servant of Allah.
He has given me the Book and made me a prophet.
And He has made me blessed wherever I may be,
and has enjoined upon me prayer (salah) and almsgiving (zakat) as long as I live.”
➋
This importance is given to prayer because the central focus of all Islamic teachings is the doctrine of monotheism (tawhid).
Tawhid removes all false deities and brings one towards the One Allah.
How can a person who does not even wish to worship the One Allah be considered as one who has faith in Allah?
➌
Most of the scholars (‘ulama) have declared the one who abandons prayer to be a disbeliever (kafir).
However, some scholars do not declare as disbeliever the one who abandons prayer out of laziness.
Nevertheless, the one who denies (the obligation of prayer) is, according to them as well, outside the fold of Islam.
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Prayer (salah) is among the fundamental pillars of Islam.
It has been obligatory in the law (shari‘ah) of every prophet.
For example, Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) was commanded at the very moment of the first revelation:
﴿إِنَّنِي أَنَا اللَّـهُ لَا إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا أَنَا فَاعْبُدْنِي وَأَقِمِ الصَّلَاةَ لِذِكْرِي﴾ ( Taha: 14)
“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.”
When Prophet ‘Isa (alayhis salam) spoke in the cradle,
he said:
﴿قَالَ إِنِّي عَبْدُ اللَّـهِ آتَانِيَ الْكِتَابَ وَجَعَلَنِي نَبِيًّا ﴿30﴾ وَجَعَلَنِي مُبَارَكًا أَيْنَ مَا كُنتُ وَأَوْصَانِي بِالصَّلَاةِ وَالزَّكَاةِ مَا دُمْتُ حَيًّا﴾ ( Maryam: 30, 31)
(‘Isa [alayhis salam]) said:
“I am the servant of Allah.
He has given me the Book and made me a prophet.
And He has made me blessed wherever I may be,
and has enjoined upon me prayer (salah) and almsgiving (zakat) as long as I live.”
➋
This importance is given to prayer because the central focus of all Islamic teachings is the doctrine of monotheism (tawhid).
Tawhid removes all false deities and brings one towards the One Allah.
How can a person who does not even wish to worship the One Allah be considered as one who has faith in Allah?
➌
Most of the scholars (‘ulama) have declared the one who abandons prayer to be a disbeliever (kafir).
However, some scholars do not declare as disbeliever the one who abandons prayer out of laziness.
Nevertheless, the one who denies (the obligation of prayer) is, according to them as well, outside the fold of Islam.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 1078
