Authored by: Imran Ayub Lahori
The Ruling on One Who Abandons Prayer
Prayer holds an unquestionably lofty status among the pillars of Islam; it is, furthermore, described as the pillar of the faith itself. Numerous Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ extol its immense virtue, and Allah Almighty mentions it nearly eighty (80) times in the Noble Qur’an due to its significance and excellence. Consequently, whoever denies the obligation of prayer and thus abandons it is, by unanimous agreement, a disbeliever. However, there is a difference of opinion among the jurists of the Ummah regarding the ruling on one who, while affirming its obligation, neglects it out of laziness and indifference. The dominant view is that only the one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever. The supporting evidences are as follows:
Regarding the polytheists, Allah Almighty says:
فَاِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ [التوبة: 11]
"If they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then they are your brothers in religion."
This verse clearly indicates that if they do not do so, they are not your brothers in religion, and religious brotherhood ends only with apostasy from Islam.
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ [الروم: 31]
"Establish prayer and do not be among the polytheists."
This verse undeniably suggests that whoever abandons prayer is counted among the polytheists.
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
وبين الرجل وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاة
"Between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer."
[Muslim 82, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on Naming Abandonment of Prayer as Kufr; Ahmad 3/370, Darimi 1/280, Abu Dawood 4678, Tirmidhi 2618, Ibn Majah 1078, Hilyat al-Awliya 8/256, Bayhaqi 3/366]
It is narrated from Hazrat Thawban رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
وبين العبد وبيـن الـكـفـر والإيمان الصلاة فإذا تركها فقد أشرك
"Between a servant and disbelief and faith is prayer; whoever abandons it has committed shirk."
[Authentic: Sharh Usul I'tiqad Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah by al-Lalaka'i 4/822; this chain is authentic according to the conditions of Sahih Muslim, and Imam Mundhiri رحمه الله also considered it authentic. Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib 1/379]
It is narrated from Hazrat Buraydah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
العهد الذى بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفر
"The covenant between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved."
[Authentic: Sahih Ibn Majah 884, Mishkat 574, Tirmidhi 2621, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on Abandoning Prayer; Ahmad 5/346, Nasa’i 1/231, Ibn Majah 1079, Hakim 1/6, Ibn Abi Shaybah 11/34, Daraqutni 2/52, Bayhaqi 3/366]
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Darda رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ولا تترك صلاة مكتوبة متعمدا فمن تركها متعمدا فقد برئت منه الذمة
"Do not deliberately leave any prescribed prayer, for whoever deliberately leaves it, Allah’s protection is removed from him."
[Hasan: Mishkat 580, Ibn Majah 4034, Kitab al-Fitan: Chapter on Patience in Tribulation]
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet ﷺ said:
مـن حـافـظ عليهـا كـانت لـه نورا و برهانا ونجاة يوم القيامة ومن لم يحافظ عليها لم تكن له نورا ولا برهانا ولا نجاة وكان يوم القيامة مع قارون و فرعون وهامان وأبي بن خلف
"Whoever guards his prayers, it will be a light, a proof, and salvation for him on the Day of Judgment. Whoever does not guard them will have no light, no proof, and no salvation, and on the Day of Judgment, he will be with Qarun, Pharaoh, Haman, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf."
[Good: Ahmad 2/169, Darimi 2/301, Majma’ al-Bahrayn 528, Mawarid 254, Mushkil al-Athar 4/229; Shaykh Albani رحمه الله affirmed its chain’s strength according to Imam Mundhiri رحمه الله. Mishkat 578]
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Shaqeeq رضي الله عنه that:
وكان أصحاب رسول الله لا يرون شيئا من الأعمال تركه كفر غير الصلاة
"The Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not consider the abandonment of any deed to be disbelief, except for prayer."
[Authentic: Mishkat 579, Tirmidhi 2622, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on Abandoning Prayer, Hakim 1/7]
Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه said:
لا حظ فى الإسلام لمن ترك الصلاة
"There is no share in Islam for the one who abandons prayer."
[Muwatta 74, Kitab al-Taharah: Chapter on the Deed of One Who Is Overcome by Bleeding from a Wound or Nosebleed]
Jumhur (Malikis, Shafi’is): If someone, despite believing in the obligation of prayer, leaves it merely out of laziness, he is not a disbeliever but a transgressor. If he repents, that is sufficient; otherwise, he is to be executed like a married adulterer by way of had and killed with the sword.
Hanafi School: Such a person is neither a disbeliever nor liable for execution; rather, he should be disciplined and imprisoned until he starts praying.
Hanbali School: The one who abandons prayer is to be executed because of his disbelief.
[References: al-Umm 1/424, al-Hawi 2/525, Rawdat al-Talibin 1/668, al-Asl 1/400, al-Kharshi on Mukhtasar Sidi Khalil 2/138, al-Mughni 3/351, al-Insaf 1/401, al-Qawanin al-Fiqhiyyah p. 42, Bidayat al-Mujtahid 1/87, al-Sharh al-Saghir 1/238, Ma’na al-Muhtaj 1/327, al-Mahdhab 1/51, Kashshaf al-Qina’ 1/263, al-Durr al-Mukhtar 1/326, Maraqi al-Falah p. 60]
Dominant View (Rajih): The one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever and, if he has the ability, should be executed. This is supported by the following evidences:
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
امرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله ويقيموا الصلاة ويؤتوا الزكوة
"I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and give zakat."
[Bukhari 25, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on If They Repent, Establish Prayer, and Give Zakat; Muslim 22, Daraqutni 1/232, Bayhaqi 3/92, Ibn Hibban 174, Hakim 1/387, Ahmad 2/345, Ibn Majah 3927]
Based on this hadith, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه fought those who denied zakat.
[Nasa’i 7/76, Abu Ya’la 68, Ibn Khuzaymah 2447, Hakim 1/368, Majma’ al-Zawaid 1/30]
(Shawkani رحمه الله): The correct opinion is that such a person is a disbeliever and deserves to be killed.
[Nayl al-Awtar 1/424]
(Nawawi رحمه الله): Whoever abandons prayer leaves no barrier between him and disbelief.
[Sharh Muslim 4/178]
(Shanqiti رحمه الله): The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever.
[Adwa’ al-Bayan 4/311]
(Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri رحمه الله): Such a person and a disbeliever are the same.
[Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 7/407]
(Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله): Whoever abandons prayer and persists in doing so until he dies in this state dies a disbeliever.
[al-Sarim al-Maslool 554, Majmu’ al-Fatawa 20/97]
(Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله): He expressed astonishment at those who do not declare as disbelievers those who abandon prayer, despite affirming its obligation.
[Kitab al-Salah p. 62]
(Shaykh Uthaymeen رحمه الله): The one who does not pray is a disbeliever.
[Risalah: Hukm Tarik al-Salah]
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen رحمه الله): Whoever deliberately abandons prayer is to be judged a disbeliever.
[al-Fatawa al-Islamiyyah 1/296]
(Saudi Council of Fatwa): The most correct of the scholarly opinions is that whoever deliberately and without excuse abandons prayer out of laziness becomes a disbeliever.
[al-Fatawa al-Islamiyyah 1/311-312]
The Ruling on One Who Abandons Prayer
Prayer holds an unquestionably lofty status among the pillars of Islam; it is, furthermore, described as the pillar of the faith itself. Numerous Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ extol its immense virtue, and Allah Almighty mentions it nearly eighty (80) times in the Noble Qur’an due to its significance and excellence. Consequently, whoever denies the obligation of prayer and thus abandons it is, by unanimous agreement, a disbeliever. However, there is a difference of opinion among the jurists of the Ummah regarding the ruling on one who, while affirming its obligation, neglects it out of laziness and indifference. The dominant view is that only the one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever. The supporting evidences are as follows:
Regarding the polytheists, Allah Almighty says:
فَاِن تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِ [التوبة: 11]
"If they repent, establish prayer, and give zakat, then they are your brothers in religion."
This verse clearly indicates that if they do not do so, they are not your brothers in religion, and religious brotherhood ends only with apostasy from Islam.
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَلَا تَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُشْرِكِيْنَ [الروم: 31]
"Establish prayer and do not be among the polytheists."
This verse undeniably suggests that whoever abandons prayer is counted among the polytheists.
It is narrated from Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
وبين الرجل وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاة
"Between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer."
[Muslim 82, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on Naming Abandonment of Prayer as Kufr; Ahmad 3/370, Darimi 1/280, Abu Dawood 4678, Tirmidhi 2618, Ibn Majah 1078, Hilyat al-Awliya 8/256, Bayhaqi 3/366]
It is narrated from Hazrat Thawban رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
وبين العبد وبيـن الـكـفـر والإيمان الصلاة فإذا تركها فقد أشرك
"Between a servant and disbelief and faith is prayer; whoever abandons it has committed shirk."
[Authentic: Sharh Usul I'tiqad Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah by al-Lalaka'i 4/822; this chain is authentic according to the conditions of Sahih Muslim, and Imam Mundhiri رحمه الله also considered it authentic. Al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib 1/379]
It is narrated from Hazrat Buraydah رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
العهد الذى بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفر
"The covenant between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved."
[Authentic: Sahih Ibn Majah 884, Mishkat 574, Tirmidhi 2621, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on Abandoning Prayer; Ahmad 5/346, Nasa’i 1/231, Ibn Majah 1079, Hakim 1/6, Ibn Abi Shaybah 11/34, Daraqutni 2/52, Bayhaqi 3/366]
It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Darda رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
ولا تترك صلاة مكتوبة متعمدا فمن تركها متعمدا فقد برئت منه الذمة
"Do not deliberately leave any prescribed prayer, for whoever deliberately leaves it, Allah’s protection is removed from him."
[Hasan: Mishkat 580, Ibn Majah 4034, Kitab al-Fitan: Chapter on Patience in Tribulation]
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr bin al-As رضي الله عنهما that the Prophet ﷺ said:
مـن حـافـظ عليهـا كـانت لـه نورا و برهانا ونجاة يوم القيامة ومن لم يحافظ عليها لم تكن له نورا ولا برهانا ولا نجاة وكان يوم القيامة مع قارون و فرعون وهامان وأبي بن خلف
"Whoever guards his prayers, it will be a light, a proof, and salvation for him on the Day of Judgment. Whoever does not guard them will have no light, no proof, and no salvation, and on the Day of Judgment, he will be with Qarun, Pharaoh, Haman, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf."
[Good: Ahmad 2/169, Darimi 2/301, Majma’ al-Bahrayn 528, Mawarid 254, Mushkil al-Athar 4/229; Shaykh Albani رحمه الله affirmed its chain’s strength according to Imam Mundhiri رحمه الله. Mishkat 578]
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Shaqeeq رضي الله عنه that:
وكان أصحاب رسول الله لا يرون شيئا من الأعمال تركه كفر غير الصلاة
"The Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did not consider the abandonment of any deed to be disbelief, except for prayer."
[Authentic: Mishkat 579, Tirmidhi 2622, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on Abandoning Prayer, Hakim 1/7]
Hazrat Umar رضي الله عنه said:
لا حظ فى الإسلام لمن ترك الصلاة
"There is no share in Islam for the one who abandons prayer."
[Muwatta 74, Kitab al-Taharah: Chapter on the Deed of One Who Is Overcome by Bleeding from a Wound or Nosebleed]
Jumhur (Malikis, Shafi’is): If someone, despite believing in the obligation of prayer, leaves it merely out of laziness, he is not a disbeliever but a transgressor. If he repents, that is sufficient; otherwise, he is to be executed like a married adulterer by way of had and killed with the sword.
Hanafi School: Such a person is neither a disbeliever nor liable for execution; rather, he should be disciplined and imprisoned until he starts praying.
Hanbali School: The one who abandons prayer is to be executed because of his disbelief.
[References: al-Umm 1/424, al-Hawi 2/525, Rawdat al-Talibin 1/668, al-Asl 1/400, al-Kharshi on Mukhtasar Sidi Khalil 2/138, al-Mughni 3/351, al-Insaf 1/401, al-Qawanin al-Fiqhiyyah p. 42, Bidayat al-Mujtahid 1/87, al-Sharh al-Saghir 1/238, Ma’na al-Muhtaj 1/327, al-Mahdhab 1/51, Kashshaf al-Qina’ 1/263, al-Durr al-Mukhtar 1/326, Maraqi al-Falah p. 60]
Dominant View (Rajih): The one who deliberately and permanently abandons prayer is a disbeliever and, if he has the ability, should be executed. This is supported by the following evidences:
It is narrated from Hazrat Ibn Umar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
امرت أن أقاتل الناس حتى يشهدوا أن لا إله إلا الله وأن محمدا رسول الله ويقيموا الصلاة ويؤتوا الزكوة
"I have been commanded to fight the people until they testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and give zakat."
[Bukhari 25, Kitab al-Iman: Chapter on If They Repent, Establish Prayer, and Give Zakat; Muslim 22, Daraqutni 1/232, Bayhaqi 3/92, Ibn Hibban 174, Hakim 1/387, Ahmad 2/345, Ibn Majah 3927]
Based on this hadith, Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq رضي الله عنه fought those who denied zakat.
[Nasa’i 7/76, Abu Ya’la 68, Ibn Khuzaymah 2447, Hakim 1/368, Majma’ al-Zawaid 1/30]
(Shawkani رحمه الله): The correct opinion is that such a person is a disbeliever and deserves to be killed.
[Nayl al-Awtar 1/424]
(Nawawi رحمه الله): Whoever abandons prayer leaves no barrier between him and disbelief.
[Sharh Muslim 4/178]
(Shanqiti رحمه الله): The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever.
[Adwa’ al-Bayan 4/311]
(Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri رحمه الله): Such a person and a disbeliever are the same.
[Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi 7/407]
(Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله): Whoever abandons prayer and persists in doing so until he dies in this state dies a disbeliever.
[al-Sarim al-Maslool 554, Majmu’ al-Fatawa 20/97]
(Ibn Qayyim رحمه الله): He expressed astonishment at those who do not declare as disbelievers those who abandon prayer, despite affirming its obligation.
[Kitab al-Salah p. 62]
(Shaykh Uthaymeen رحمه الله): The one who does not pray is a disbeliever.
[Risalah: Hukm Tarik al-Salah]
(Shaykh Ibn Jibreen رحمه الله): Whoever deliberately abandons prayer is to be judged a disbeliever.
[al-Fatawa al-Islamiyyah 1/296]
(Saudi Council of Fatwa): The most correct of the scholarly opinions is that whoever deliberately and without excuse abandons prayer out of laziness becomes a disbeliever.
[al-Fatawa al-Islamiyyah 1/311-312]
