The Shaykh’s warning about a hadith that is not authentic from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): “Whoever’s prayer does not restrain him from indecency and wrongdoing does not increase in distance from Allah except by that much.”

The Shaykh : I wish to remind you of a hadith among those that are widespread on people’s tongues, which is not authentic, and indeed it is not permissible to attribute it to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family), because it is not established. First, in terms of its structure, meaning its chain of narration; and second, in terms of its text and meaning. That hadith is This hadith may be pleasing to some people to hear, and its meaning may be agreeable to them, without them noticing the reprehensible meaning contained within it. For if this hadith were authentic, the matter would turn between this one who prays but whose prayer does not restrain him from indecency and wrongdoing, and that one who does not pray at all, such that the one who does not pray at all would be closer to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) than the one who prays but whose prayer does not restrain him from indecency and wrongdoing. And this is a falsehood as clear as the sun at midday in its falsehood; that is, that the one who does not pray is better in the sight of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) than the one who prays but whose prayer does not restrain him from indecency and wrongdoing. So if you observe that this hadith contains this false meaning, then it is correct for us to say, in the terminology of the scholars of hadith, that this hadith is weak in its chain and false in its text. Why? Because it says: No, he increases in distance. If he does not pray this prayer that he prays, which does not restrain him from indecency and wrongdoing, he increases in distance from Allah by it. It does not come to a stop. So if he does not pray, this is a reprehensible and false statement. Therefore, I wanted to remind you that this hadith is weak in its chain and false in its text. Now, there is a little time left, and we hope to hear the questions you have, in order to save time.

The questioner : I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Shaytan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. It will be, if Allah wills, after breaking the fast. There will be many questions, and papers will be distributed for writing sample questions. I hope it is known that only the questions that are written will be asked, and oral questions are not acceptable now, so that the matter is organized. So we will distribute papers to the brothers. This is after breaking the fast, if Allah wills. Now, there is only a little time left. I will ask some questions in these few minutes.

The Shaykh : If you allow, I will add another condition to the previous one, which is that I suggest that the questions be related to the month. This is the month of fasting. Other questions may come to the minds of others, but those are postponed, and what is related to the appropriate time now is given priority. And the other questions that relate to the life of the Muslim in general, these should be answered and it is necessary, but they are in the second rank. This is if you see it!

The questioner : If Allah wills, the priority is for questions related to the month of fasting.