Is the Fast of Someone Who Abandons Prayer After Ramadan Accepted?

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

Question:​

If someone is diligent in fasting during Ramadan and performs Salah only during Ramadan but abandons it as soon as Ramadan ends, is their fasting accepted?

Answer:​

The Importance of Salah in Islam​

After the declaration of faith (Shahadatain), Salah is the most significant pillar of Islam. It has been emphasized greatly in the Quran and Sunnah, and it is a personal obligation (fard ‘ayn). Neglecting Salah, whether by denying its obligation or abandoning it due to laziness, renders a person a disbeliever (kafir).

Ruling on Those Who Pray Only in Ramadan​

• Deceptive Behavior:
  Those who only observe Salah during Ramadan and abandon it afterwards are effectively attempting to deceive Allah. They treat Ramadan as a time to temporarily recognize their obligations while neglecting Allah’s commands for the rest of the year.
• Fasting Without Prayer:
  For such individuals, their fasting is neither valid nor accepted, as abandoning Salah—especially outside Ramadan—renders them disbelievers. A person who neglects Salah cannot have their other acts of worship accepted, including fasting.
  
  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)
  Abandoning Salah, a core pillar of Islam, amounts to rejecting Allah’s commands and nullifies one’s other acts of worship.

Conclusion:​

Those who fast during Ramadan but abandon Salah once the month ends are engaging in hypocrisy and deception. Their fasting is not valid or accepted unless they commit to observing Salah consistently throughout the year. Such individuals must repent sincerely, uphold Salah, and fulfill all obligations of their faith.

May Allah guide us all to steadfastness in Salah and other acts of worship.

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