Also, a person who abandons prayer while knowing its obligation, testifies that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and admits that he is wrong. He hears the adhan but he
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The questioner : Also, a person who abandons prayer while knowing its obligation, testifies that there is no god but Allah and testifies that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and admits that he is wrong. He hears the adhan but he does not pray. I have heard from some of the common people that he is a disbeliever, while another says he is a believer who disobeys. What is the difference between a Muslim and a believer? May Allah guide you to what is best for Islam and the Muslims?
The Shaykh : This issue is one of the important matters that must be attended to, because this man who used to abandon prayer while acknowledging its obligation, but he hears the adhan and does not pray, as in the question.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he abandons prayer in congregation, he is not a disbeliever. Rather, if he abandons it while believing in its obligation, he becomes an open sinner who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, because the obligation of congregational prayer is clear in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). However, if he abandons it, he does not become a disbeliever.
As for if he abandons prayer entirely, not praying it alone or in congregation, the scholars have differed on this issue. The correct opinion among their views is that he becomes a disbeliever, a disbelief that takes him out of the religion, due to the indication of the Book and the Sunnah regarding his disbelief. We will mention some of these proofs, as it is not possible to enumerate them all in such a session.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Among the indications from the Qur'an regarding his disbelief is the statement of Blessed and Exalted is He:[Maryam 19:59-60]. So His statement indicates that before that, when he neglected prayer, he was not a believer. And whoever is not a believer is a disbeliever, for there is no middle ground between them, as Allah the Exalted said: [At-Taghabun 64:2]. Also, His statement, Exalted is He: [At-Tawbah 9:11]. This noble verse indicates that if the polytheists repent from shirk by testifying that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and they establish prayer and give zakah, they become our brothers in religion, because they were believers at that time, and believers are brothers. The implication of this noble verse is that if they do not repent from shirk, or do not establish prayer, or do not give zakah, they are not our brothers in religion. This means they are disbelievers. So if they do not repent from shirk, they are disbelievers without doubt. And if they repent from shirk but do not establish prayer, the implication of this noble verse indicates that they are disbelievers, as we have established.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And if they repent from shirk and establish prayer but do not give zakah, the implication of this noble verse also indicates that they are disbelievers, as we established earlier. Some scholars have adopted this view, and it is a narration from Imam Ahmad, meaning: they held that whoever does not pay zakah while acknowledging its obligation is a disbeliever. But the correct view is that he does not become a disbeliever, but rather he is a disobedient open sinner deserving of the severe warning mentioned by Allah the Exalted in His Book, and mentioned by His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic Sunnah regarding those who withhold the payment of zakah. This is indicated by what is established in the authentic hadith of Abu Hurayrah from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he mentioned the punishment for those who do not pay zakah, he said:Sunan Abi Dawud 1658Sahih (Al-Albani).
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And if it is possible for him to see a path to Paradise, then he is not a disbeliever, for a disbeliever cannot see a path for himself to Paradise. And on this basis, this hadith's explicit wording takes precedence over the implication of the noble verse, because it is established among the scholars that the explicit wording takes precedence over the implication. These are two verses from the Book of Allah that indicate the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer. As for the Sunnah, it is established in Sahih Muslim from the hadith of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:. And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the hadith of Buraydah, which is in the Sunan, and it is either authentic or good, in which he said: Sunan Ibn Majah 1079Sahih (Darussalam). These are two hadiths that indicate that the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him) mentioned in his book *Iqtida' al-Sirat al-Mustaqim* the difference between the legislator's wording "this is disbelief" and his wording "disbelief by definition."
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He said: Disbelief indicates that the intended meaning is absolute disbelief that takes one out of Islam. This is the expression that came in the hadith of Jabir:Sahih Muslim 82b.
So if someone asks: Is it not possible to make the mentioned disbelief like the disbelief mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his statement:Sahih Muslim 64a? The statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) means fighting a believer. The intended meaning is not the disbelief that takes one out of the religion, as indicated by the Qur'an, where Allah Blessed and Exalted is He said: [Al-Hujurat 49:9] [Al-Hujurat 49:10]. So fighting a believer by a believer is disbelief, as in the hadith, and yet it does not take him out of the religion, due to His statement, Exalted is He: [Al-Hujurat 49:10].
So the answer to that is to say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: with the indefinite article.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And he did not say it with the definite article, unlike the expression regarding the one who abandons prayer, where he said:.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And we have passed earlier the words of Shaykh al-Islam on this issue. So the meaning of is that the act of fighting itself is disbelief, because it is incompatible with faith, for if he were truly a believer, he would not fight his believing brother.
And on this basis, the Book and the Sunnah have indicated the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer, a disbelief that takes him out of the religion. Also, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) have narrations from them that indicate this, as in the authentic hadith from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "There is no share in Islam for one who abandons prayer". Some scholars have reported the consensus of the Companions, or the majority of them, on the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And on this basis, if we say that he is a disbeliever—and this is the true opinion, if Allah wills—if we say that, then he is judged to have apostatized, and what is established for apostates is established for him, such as the annulment of his marriage to his wife if he is married, because a Muslim woman is not lawful for a disbeliever by the text of the Qur'an. Also, he is not washed when he dies, not shrouded, and not buried in the graves of Muslims, because he is not one of them. It is obligatory for his family and relatives who know of his abandonment of prayer and his persistence in abandoning it until he died, that they bury him far from the graves of Muslims. It is forbidden for them to wash him, shroud him, or present him to the Muslims to pray over him, because that is deceiving the Muslims. For it is not permissible for a Muslim to pray over a disbeliever, due to the statement of Blessed and Exalted is He to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):, meaning from among the hypocrites: [At-Tawbah 9:84]. So the operative cause is disbelief.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And on this basis, no prayer is offered over any disbeliever, whether he is an original disbeliever or an apostate like the one who abandons prayer.
And based on this, his Muslim relatives do not inherit from him if he dies in this state, due to the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sunan Abi Dawud 2909Sahih (Al-Albani). And he does not inherit from any of his Muslim relatives if a relative of his dies while he is in the state of abandoning prayer. Also, based on this, his Hajj is not valid if he performs it while not praying. And based on this, it is not lawful for him to enter Makkah or its sacred precinct, due to the statement of Allah the Exalted: [At-Tawbah 9:28].
This issue is very important; it must be attended to and one must be alert to it. It is obligatory for one who knows of a person in this state to first advise him and guide him to the truth, and warn him of the punishment of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. If he stops and reforms and establishes prayer, that is a blessing from Allah upon him and upon the one who advised and guided him. And if he does not do so, it is obligatory for the one who knows of him to report him to the authorities.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And it is upon the authorities to carry out what Allah has obligated upon them in dealing with this person and his like. And we ask Allah the Exalted for success and guidance for all, for He is Generous and Bountiful.
The Shaykh : This issue is one of the important matters that must be attended to, because this man who used to abandon prayer while acknowledging its obligation, but he hears the adhan and does not pray, as in the question.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : If he abandons prayer in congregation, he is not a disbeliever. Rather, if he abandons it while believing in its obligation, he becomes an open sinner who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, because the obligation of congregational prayer is clear in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). However, if he abandons it, he does not become a disbeliever.
As for if he abandons prayer entirely, not praying it alone or in congregation, the scholars have differed on this issue. The correct opinion among their views is that he becomes a disbeliever, a disbelief that takes him out of the religion, due to the indication of the Book and the Sunnah regarding his disbelief. We will mention some of these proofs, as it is not possible to enumerate them all in such a session.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Among the indications from the Qur'an regarding his disbelief is the statement of Blessed and Exalted is He:
(59) But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil - (60) Except those who repent, believe and do righteousness; for those will enter Paradise and will not be wronged at all.
فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيّاً إِلَّا مَنْ تَابَ وَءامَنَand believe
وءامنIt is He who created you, and among you is the disbeliever, and among you is the believer
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ فَمِنْكُمْ كَافِرٌ وَمِنْكُمْ مُؤْمِنٌBut if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in religion
فَإِنْ تَابُوا وَأَقَامُوا الصَّلاةَ وَءاتَوُا الزَّكَاةَ فَإِخْوَانُكُمْ فِي الدِّينِThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And if they repent from shirk and establish prayer but do not give zakah, the implication of this noble verse also indicates that they are disbelievers, as we established earlier. Some scholars have adopted this view, and it is a narration from Imam Ahmad, meaning: they held that whoever does not pay zakah while acknowledging its obligation is a disbeliever. But the correct view is that he does not become a disbeliever, but rather he is a disobedient open sinner deserving of the severe warning mentioned by Allah the Exalted in His Book, and mentioned by His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic Sunnah regarding those who withhold the payment of zakah. This is indicated by what is established in the authentic hadith of Abu Hurayrah from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) when he mentioned the punishment for those who do not pay zakah, he said:
he sees whether his path is to take him to Paradise or to Hell
ثم يرى سبيله إما إلى الجنة وإما إلى النارThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And if it is possible for him to see a path to Paradise, then he is not a disbeliever, for a disbeliever cannot see a path for himself to Paradise. And on this basis, this hadith's explicit wording takes precedence over the implication of the noble verse, because it is established among the scholars that the explicit wording takes precedence over the implication. These are two verses from the Book of Allah that indicate the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer. As for the Sunnah, it is established in Sahih Muslim from the hadith of Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Between a man and disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the abandonment of prayer.
بين الرجل وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاةThe covenant that distinguishes between us and them is prayer; so whoever leaves it, he has committed Kufr.
العهد الذي يننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : He said: Disbelief indicates that the intended meaning is absolute disbelief that takes one out of Islam. This is the expression that came in the hadith of Jabir:
Between man and polytheism and unbelief is the abandonment of salat.
بين الرجل وبين الشرك والكفر ترك الصلاةSo if someone asks: Is it not possible to make the mentioned disbelief like the disbelief mentioned by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in his statement:
Abusing a Muslim is an outrage and fighting against him is unbelief
سباب المسلم فسوق وقتاله كفرAnd fighting him is disbelief
وقتاله كفرAnd if two factions among the believers should fight, then make settlement between the two. But if one of them oppresses the other, then fight against the one that oppresses until it returns to the ordinance of Allah. And if it returns, then make settlement between them in justice and act justly. Indeed, Allah loves those who act justly.
وَإِنْ طَائِفَتَانِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ اقْتَتَلُوا فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا فَإِنْ بَغَتْ إِحْدَاهُمَا عَلَى الْأُخْرَى فَقَاتِلُوا الَّتِي تَبْغِي حَتَّى تَفِيءَ إِلَى أَمْرِ اللَّهِ فَإِنْ فَاءَتْ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَهُمَا بِالْعَدْلِ وَأَقْسِطُوا إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ الْمُقْسِطِينَThe believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers
إِنَّمَا الْمُؤْمِنُونَ إِخْوَةٌ فَأَصْلِحُوا بَيْنَ أَخَوَيْكُمْso make settlement between your brothers
فأصلحوا بين أخويكمSo the answer to that is to say: The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Fighting him is disbelief
قتاله كفرThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And he did not say it with the definite article, unlike the expression regarding the one who abandons prayer, where he said:
between a man and disbelief and shirk
بين الرجل وبين الكفر والشركThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And we have passed earlier the words of Shaykh al-Islam on this issue. So the meaning of
Fighting him is disbelief
قتاله كفرAnd on this basis, the Book and the Sunnah have indicated the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer, a disbelief that takes him out of the religion. Also, the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) have narrations from them that indicate this, as in the authentic hadith from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: "There is no share in Islam for one who abandons prayer". Some scholars have reported the consensus of the Companions, or the majority of them, on the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And on this basis, if we say that he is a disbeliever—and this is the true opinion, if Allah wills—if we say that, then he is judged to have apostatized, and what is established for apostates is established for him, such as the annulment of his marriage to his wife if he is married, because a Muslim woman is not lawful for a disbeliever by the text of the Qur'an. Also, he is not washed when he dies, not shrouded, and not buried in the graves of Muslims, because he is not one of them. It is obligatory for his family and relatives who know of his abandonment of prayer and his persistence in abandoning it until he died, that they bury him far from the graves of Muslims. It is forbidden for them to wash him, shroud him, or present him to the Muslims to pray over him, because that is deceiving the Muslims. For it is not permissible for a Muslim to pray over a disbeliever, due to the statement of Blessed and Exalted is He to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
And do not offer prayer over any one of them
وَلا تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْwho has died - ever - or stand at his grave. Indeed, they disbelieved in Allah and His Messenger
مَاتَ أَبَداً وَلا تَقُمْ عَلَى قَبْرِهِ إِنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِThe questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And on this basis, no prayer is offered over any disbeliever, whether he is an original disbeliever or an apostate like the one who abandons prayer.
And based on this, his Muslim relatives do not inherit from him if he dies in this state, due to the statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
A Muslim may not inherit from an infidel nor an infidel from a Muslim.
لا يرث المسلم الكافر ولا الكافر المسلمO you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their [final] year
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْمُشْرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ فَلا يَقْرَبُوا الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ بَعْدَ عَامِهِمْ هَذَاThis issue is very important; it must be attended to and one must be alert to it. It is obligatory for one who knows of a person in this state to first advise him and guide him to the truth, and warn him of the punishment of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He. If he stops and reforms and establishes prayer, that is a blessing from Allah upon him and upon the one who advised and guided him. And if he does not do so, it is obligatory for the one who knows of him to report him to the authorities.
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : And it is upon the authorities to carry out what Allah has obligated upon them in dealing with this person and his like. And we ask Allah the Exalted for success and guidance for all, for He is Generous and Bountiful.