Clarifying the Meaning of Practical Disbelief

The Shaykh : The meaning of practical disbelief is that one performs the actions of the disbelievers. The disbelievers do not pray, so any Muslim who does not pray has undoubtedly performed the actions of the disbelievers. If this action is accompanied by their belief, then he is one hundred percent of them; his disbelief at that time is both doctrinal disbelief and practical disbelief. However, if he differs from them in belief—they do not believe in prayer or its legitimacy, whereas he believes in it and its legitimacy, but he abandons it by following his desires, being deluded by this worldly life, and the like—then his disbelief is practical disbelief, meaning he performs the actions of the disbelievers. As long as his belief differs from the belief of the disbelievers, it is clear and obvious injustice to declare him a disbeliever, because he differs from the disbelievers. The disbelievers do not believe in the legitimacy of prayer and do not worship Allah with it, whereas this person is a believer and a verifier. In many cases, even if only between him and himself, he says, "O Allah, forgive me; O Allah, guide me." Therefore, it is not permissible to say that one who abandons prayer out of laziness is a disbeliever in terms of doctrinal disbelief, because this contradicts what is in his heart and contradicts his belief. He believes that prayer is prescribed, whereas the disbeliever does not believe that. Thus, they differ in this respect, namely in terms of belief: the disbeliever denies the obligation of prayer, while the Muslim believes in it, verifies it, and submits to it. However, this Muslim, who is an open sinner, meets the disbeliever in terms of practical action when he abandons prayer.