Non-Praying Muslim or Christian? Social Interaction and the Shar‘i Ruling
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
Question:
If a person is Muslim but does not pray, or sometimes prays and sometimes neglects it, is such a Muslim better than a Christian, or is a Christian better than a non-praying Muslim? Also, what is the ruling on social interaction and eating with a non-praying person?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
Scholarly Difference on the Non-Praying Person:
◈ Scholars differ on whether a non-praying person is a disbeliever (kāfir) or not.
◈ The correct opinion is that the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever.
Difference Between a Non-Praying Muslim and a Christian:
Although both are distant from the true religion, the Christian commits the following acts:
❀ Eats pork
❀ Does not avoid carrion (dead meat)
❀ Does not perform ghusl after major impurity
In these matters, the non-praying person is distinct from the Christian.
Shar‘i Requirement:
Due to this difference, a non-praying person should still avoid taking the Christian as a close companion.
One Who Sometimes Prays and Sometimes Neglects It:
Case 1:
❀ He prays continuously for some time, then abandons it completely for some time.
Ruling:
✿ On days he prays, he is counted as a praying person.
✿ On days he does not pray, he is counted as a non-prayer performer.
Case 2:
❀ He prays some prayers and leaves others.
Ruling:
✿ He is still considered a “non-praying” person because, when he does pray, he has no intention of being consistent in future prayers.
✿ In effect, even while praying, he maintains the intention of abandoning prayer.
Further Consideration:
◈ If he performs a prayer and dies before the time of the next prayer, he is considered a praying person and his funeral prayer will be offered.
◈ If the next prayer time arrives and, despite ability, he neglects it, he is counted as a non-prayer performer.
Ruling on Social Interaction and Eating with Him:
◈ While alive:
Avoid eating and socializing with him as a matter of religious dignity, so that:
❀ He may take heed
❀ There may be hope for his reform
◈ After death:
Show compassion, as his deeds have ended and he can no longer act.
Wallāhu A‘lam
