Is the Fast of a Non-Praying Individual Accepted?

By: Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him)

Question:​

I have observed some young Muslims who fast during Ramadan but do not perform Salah. Is the fast of such individuals accepted? I have also heard some preachers advising these youth not to fast because their fast would not be valid if they do not pray.

Answer:​

1. Ruling on Neglecting Salah​

• Denying the Obligation of Salah:
  If a person denies that Salah is obligatory, they are considered a disbeliever (kafir) according to the unanimous consensus of scholars.
• Abandoning Salah Out of Laziness or Negligence:
  According to the stronger opinion among scholars, even someone who abandons Salah due to laziness or negligence is also considered a disbeliever (kafir). This is based on clear evidence from the Quran and Sunnah.
  
  Once a person is deemed a disbeliever for neglecting Salah, their other acts of worship, including fasting, are rendered invalid and worthless. Allah Almighty says:
  
  "But if they had associated others with Allah, then worthless for them would be whatever they were doing."
  (Surah Al-An’am: 88)

2. The Status of the Fast​

If someone abandons Salah intentionally and is thus categorized as a disbeliever, their fasting and other acts of worship will not be accepted, as disbelief nullifies all good deeds.

3. Should Such Individuals Be Encouraged to Fast?​

Despite the invalidity of their fast due to their abandonment of Salah, such individuals should not be discouraged from fasting. This is because:

• Fasting may lead them to a state of heightened awareness and fear of Allah.
• It could bring them closer to Islam and encourage repentance, leading them to resume Salah and fully embrace the obligations of their faith.

Conclusion:​

For someone who abandons Salah, their fasting is not accepted in the eyes of Allah because disbelief nullifies all acts of worship. However, such individuals should still be encouraged to fast, as it might ignite fear of Allah in their hearts and motivate them to repent and start offering Salah regularly.

May Allah guide us all to fulfill our obligations and accept our deeds.

Reference:
This ruling aligns with the fatwa of Al-Lajnah ad-Da’imah (The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta).