Source: Fatāwā Amunpuri by Shaykh Ghulam Mustafa Zaheer Amunpuri❖ Question:
What is the ruling regarding the fast of a person who does not perform prayer (ṣalāh)?
❖ Answer:
The ruling on prayer (ṣalāh) and fasting (ṣawm) are distinct and separate. If a person does not offer prayer but keeps the fast, then his obligation of fasting will be fulfilled; however, he will still be sinful for abandoning the prayer.
❀ Imām Nawawī رحمه الله said:
الصيام والصلاة فريضتان مستقلتان، فترك إحداهما لا يبطل الأخرى
“Fasting and prayer are two independent obligations; abandoning one does not invalidate the other.”
(Al-Majmūʿ Sharḥ al-Muhadhdhab: 6/374)
Conclusion:
① Fasting and prayer are independent obligations.
② A person who fasts without praying has his fast legally valid.
③ However, he is still a sinner due to neglecting prayer, which is among the most important pillars of Islam.
