Is it permissible to declare a person who abandons prayer a disbeliever? And is it permissible to employ him in one's work?
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The questioner : May Allah preserve you, O honorable Shaykh and father. What is the ruling on employing a person who does not pray in one's work? And is he declared a disbeliever for abandoning prayer?
The Shaykh : As for declaring a person who does not pray a disbeliever, this is the truth, based on the indications of the Qur'an, the Sunnah, the words of the Companions, and correct reasoning. By "one who does not pray," we mean one who never prays, neither in congregation nor in his home, and never prays at all. As for one who prays but sometimes neglects it, he is not a disbeliever, but he is undoubtedly an open sinner. As for employing him, the matter must be examined, because employing him may be permissible, as in the case of a person who is drowning in water and there is no one around him except this man who does not pray; in that case, there is no harm in employing him. However, the matters for which he is employed may be religious affairs that should not be led by him, in which case he is prevented from doing so. In any case, it is not possible to make a general statement that he should not be employed, nor that he should be employed.
The Shaykh : As for declaring a person who does not pray a disbeliever, this is the truth, based on the indications of the Qur'an, the Sunnah, the words of the Companions, and correct reasoning. By "one who does not pray," we mean one who never prays, neither in congregation nor in his home, and never prays at all. As for one who prays but sometimes neglects it, he is not a disbeliever, but he is undoubtedly an open sinner. As for employing him, the matter must be examined, because employing him may be permissible, as in the case of a person who is drowning in water and there is no one around him except this man who does not pray; in that case, there is no harm in employing him. However, the matters for which he is employed may be religious affairs that should not be led by him, in which case he is prevented from doing so. In any case, it is not possible to make a general statement that he should not be employed, nor that he should be employed.