He says in his letter that in our country there are many who are Muslim only in nationality and do not pray. Should we consider them among the Muslims or among the apostates, and is it permissible to kill them?

The questioner : From Iraq, in Nineveh, a letter reached us from a friend, or we should say a brother, M. A. H. He says in his letter that in our country there are many who are Muslim only in nationality and do not pray. Should we consider them among the Muslims or among the apostates, and is it permissible or forbidden to kill them? Please issue a ruling for us, and may Allah guide you.

The Shaykh : The one who does not pray is not among the Muslims, but rather he is among the apostates from the religion of Islam. It is obligatory to call him to Islam. If he is guided and prays, that is from the grace of Allah upon him. If he does not do so, it is obligatory to kill him. However, those who carry out the killing are the rulers, not the general public, because matters like this are handled by the one in authority. Yes.