Authored by: Muhammad Arshad Kamal
Sadly, a majority of Muslims today are heedless and negligent of this critical obligation. The following points detail the grave consequences of abandoning Salah, highlighting the immense harm one brings upon oneself.
"And Allah would never cause your faith to be lost. Indeed, Allah is to the people Kind and Merciful."
(Surah al-Baqarah: 143)
In this verse, faith (iman) refers to prayer. Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) included a chapter:
"The Chapter: Salah is from Iman", and then said:
"The statement of Allah (وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَانَكُمْ) refers to your Salah toward Bayt al-Maqdis."
This affirms that the abandonment of Salah leads to a deficiency or even a complete void of faith, resulting in kufr or shirk.
Allah says:
"Turn to Him in repentance, fear Him, and establish prayer and do not be among the polytheists."
(Surah al-Rum: 31)
Prophetic Sayings on Salah and Faith:
❖ Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, between a man and shirk and kufr is the abandonment of prayer."
(Sahih Muslim: 82)
❖ Buraidah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The covenant between us and them is Salah; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief."
(Ibn Majah: 1079 – Authentic)
❖ Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) said:
"There is no share in Islam for the one who abandons prayer."
(Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik: 84 – Authentic)
The Tabi‘i Abdullah ibn Shaqiq (رحمه الله) stated:
"The companions of Muhammad ﷺ did not consider the abandonment of any deed to be kufr except prayer."
(Tirmidhi: 2622 – Authentic)
Thus, abandoning Salah is a destruction of Iman.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not associate anything with Allah, even if you are cut into pieces and burned; and do not deliberately abandon the obligatory Salah, for whoever does so is free from Allah’s protection..."
(Ibn Majah: 4034 – Hasan)
Another Hadith:
"By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I was about to command firewood to be gathered, have the Adhan called, appoint someone to lead the prayer, and go to the homes of those who don’t attend the prayer and burn their houses down."
(Sahih Bukhari: 644)
"Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer, it is as if he lost his family and wealth."
(Sahih Bukhari: 552)
Additionally:
"Whoever abandons ‘Asr prayer, his deeds are nullified."
(Sahih Bukhari: 553)
This underscores that even one missed prayer results in great spiritual and worldly loss.
"So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer—those who make a show [of worship] and refuse small kindnesses."
(Surah al-Ma‘un: 4–7)
According to Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (رضي الله عنه), this verse refers to delaying prayer without valid reason, a behavior that invites Allah’s wrath.
"The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but will not be able to. Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they were [once] invited to prostration while they were sound."
(Surah al-Qalam: 42–43)
On the Day of Judgment, those who neglected Salah will not be able to prostrate, facing public disgrace.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Our Lord will unveil His shin and every believer will prostrate, but those who used to pray for show will be unable to. Their back will be like a single slab (unable to bend)."
(Sahih Bukhari: 4919)
"Then there succeeded them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil—except those who repent, believe, and do righteousness. Those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all."
(Surah Maryam: 59–60)
The Prophet ﷺ foretold:
"After sixty years, people will emerge who neglect prayer and follow their desires; they will meet destruction. Then others will come who recite the Qur’an, but it will not go beyond their throats."
(Musnad Ahmad: 3/39 – Hasan)
Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the one who neglects Salah will be gathered with:
(Kitab al-Salah, p. 43)
✔ The Central Role of Salah in Islam
In Islam, Salah (prayer) holds immense significance. It is the foundation and pillar of the religion, upon which the structure of Islam stands. While numerous rewards—both worldly and hereafter—are promised for performing Salah, severe punishments are also mentioned for neglecting it.Sadly, a majority of Muslims today are heedless and negligent of this critical obligation. The following points detail the grave consequences of abandoning Salah, highlighting the immense harm one brings upon oneself.
❶ Loss of Faith (Iman)
Salah is faith. Allah Almighty says:"And Allah would never cause your faith to be lost. Indeed, Allah is to the people Kind and Merciful."
(Surah al-Baqarah: 143)
In this verse, faith (iman) refers to prayer. Imam al-Bukhari (رحمه الله) included a chapter:
"The Chapter: Salah is from Iman", and then said:
"The statement of Allah (وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَانَكُمْ) refers to your Salah toward Bayt al-Maqdis."
This affirms that the abandonment of Salah leads to a deficiency or even a complete void of faith, resulting in kufr or shirk.
Allah says:
"Turn to Him in repentance, fear Him, and establish prayer and do not be among the polytheists."
(Surah al-Rum: 31)
Prophetic Sayings on Salah and Faith:
❖ Jabir (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Indeed, between a man and shirk and kufr is the abandonment of prayer."
(Sahih Muslim: 82)
❖ Buraidah (رضي الله عنه) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The covenant between us and them is Salah; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief."
(Ibn Majah: 1079 – Authentic)
❖ Umar ibn al-Khattab (رضي الله عنه) said:
"There is no share in Islam for the one who abandons prayer."
(Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik: 84 – Authentic)
The Tabi‘i Abdullah ibn Shaqiq (رحمه الله) stated:
"The companions of Muhammad ﷺ did not consider the abandonment of any deed to be kufr except prayer."
(Tirmidhi: 2622 – Authentic)
Thus, abandoning Salah is a destruction of Iman.
❷ Loss of Divine Protection (Dhimmah)
A person who establishes Salah is granted safety and protection under Islamic law. However, one who deliberately abandons Salah is considered to have rebelled against Islamic law and loses all Islamic protection.The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Do not associate anything with Allah, even if you are cut into pieces and burned; and do not deliberately abandon the obligatory Salah, for whoever does so is free from Allah’s protection..."
(Ibn Majah: 4034 – Hasan)
Another Hadith:
"By the One in Whose hand is my soul, I was about to command firewood to be gathered, have the Adhan called, appoint someone to lead the prayer, and go to the homes of those who don’t attend the prayer and burn their houses down."
(Sahih Bukhari: 644)
❸ Loss of Family, Wealth, and Deeds
The Prophet ﷺ said:"Whoever misses the ‘Asr prayer, it is as if he lost his family and wealth."
(Sahih Bukhari: 552)
Additionally:
"Whoever abandons ‘Asr prayer, his deeds are nullified."
(Sahih Bukhari: 553)
This underscores that even one missed prayer results in great spiritual and worldly loss.
❹ Destruction and Doom
Allah says:"So woe to those who pray but are heedless of their prayer—those who make a show [of worship] and refuse small kindnesses."
(Surah al-Ma‘un: 4–7)
According to Sa‘d ibn Abi Waqqas (رضي الله عنه), this verse refers to delaying prayer without valid reason, a behavior that invites Allah’s wrath.
❺ Disgrace in the Hereafter
Allah says:"The Day the shin will be uncovered and they are invited to prostration but will not be able to. Their eyes humbled, humiliation will cover them. And they were [once] invited to prostration while they were sound."
(Surah al-Qalam: 42–43)
On the Day of Judgment, those who neglected Salah will not be able to prostrate, facing public disgrace.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Our Lord will unveil His shin and every believer will prostrate, but those who used to pray for show will be unable to. Their back will be like a single slab (unable to bend)."
(Sahih Bukhari: 4919)
❻ Entry into Hell
Allah says:"Then there succeeded them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil—except those who repent, believe, and do righteousness. Those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all."
(Surah Maryam: 59–60)
The Prophet ﷺ foretold:
"After sixty years, people will emerge who neglect prayer and follow their desires; they will meet destruction. Then others will come who recite the Qur’an, but it will not go beyond their throats."
(Musnad Ahmad: 3/39 – Hasan)
Ibn al-Qayyim explained that the one who neglects Salah will be gathered with:
- Qarun (if he abandoned Salah for wealth),
- Pharaoh (for power),
- Haman (for state affairs),
- Ubay ibn Khalaf (for business excuses).
(Kitab al-Salah, p. 43)
