Authored by: Sheikh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani (May Allah preserve him)
Question:
What is the ruling on the fast of a person who does not pray? If such a person observes fasting, is their fast valid?
Answer:
The correct opinion is that a person who intentionally abandons prayer is considered a disbeliever (kafir). Consequently, until they repent to Allah, their fasts and other acts of worship are not valid. This ruling is based on the Quranic verse:
“If they had associated others with Allah, then all that they used to do would have been nullified.”
(Surah Al-An’am: 88)
Other similar verses and ahadith also indicate that abandoning prayer nullifies one’s deeds.
Opinions of Scholars:
- First Opinion (Majority View):
Scholars who hold the view that intentional abandonment of prayer constitutes disbelief maintain that the fasts and other acts of worship of such a person are not valid, even if they acknowledge the obligation of prayer. This view is supported by strong evidence from the Quran and Sunnah.The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said:
“Between a person and disbelief and polytheism is abandoning prayer.”
(Sahih Muslim, Book of Faith: Chapter on the Description of Kufr, Hadith 82)He also said:
“The covenant between us and them (disbelievers) is prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.”
(Jami’ al-Tirmidhi, Book of Faith: Chapter on the Abandonment of Prayer, Hadith 2621)This hadith has been authentically transmitted by Imam Ahmad, Abu Dawood, An-Nasa’i, At-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah through the chain of Buraidah ibn Al-Husaib (رضي الله عنه).
- Second Opinion (Minority View):
Some scholars argue that if a person acknowledges the obligation of prayer but abandons it due to laziness or negligence, their fast and other acts of worship remain valid, though they are committing a grave sin.
Supporting Evidence for the First Opinion:
Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) extensively discussed the rulings on prayer and the abandonment of prayer in his book “Hukm Tarik as-Salah” (The Ruling on One Who Abandons Prayer). He demonstrated through detailed arguments and evidence that intentional abandonment of prayer constitutes disbelief, rendering all deeds invalid.
Conclusion:
The more correct and stronger opinion is that a person who intentionally abandons prayer is a disbeliever, even if they acknowledge its obligation. Consequently, their fasts and other acts of worship are invalid until they repent sincerely to Allah and resume regular prayer.
Allah knows best!
