What is the meaning of disbelief in the hadiths regarding the one who abandons prayer?
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Question:
The first message in this episode is from one of the listening brothers. The sender is Abu 'Amr, Aziz Ahmad Kalbi. Abu 'Amr asks a collection of questions, among which is a question that says: There are hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he clarifies that the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. Does this disbelief take one out of the religion? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon whoever follows his path and is guided by his guidance until the Day of Judgment. As for what follows:
Prayer is the pillar of Islam, and the greatest of the pillars of Islam after the two testimonies. Abandoning it is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) according to all scholars if one denies its obligation, even if he prays, if he denies its obligation; it is disbelief by the consensus of the Muslims; because he is lying to Allah and His Messenger. Allah the Exalted says: [al-Baqarah:43] And He said -Mighty and Majestic-: [al-Baqarah:238] And He said -Mighty and Majestic-: [al-'Ankabut:45].
And if he abandons it, and does not deny its obligation, or abandons some of it, it is also disbelief in the most correct of the scholars' opinions, whether he abandons the five, or abandons the midday prayer alone, or the afternoon prayer alone, or the dawn prayer alone, or the Friday prayer alone; he commits disbelief by that; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Narrated by Muslim in the Sahih. And when disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah) are mentioned in the definite form, it is major disbelief. This is the most correct of the scholars' opinions in this matter.
And he said -may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him-:Sunan Ibn Majah 1079Sahih (Darussalam) Narrated by Imam Ahmad, and the people of the Sunan with a sound chain from Buraydah (may Allah be pleased with him).
And the Companions asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about the rulers who do not establish prayer... those who delay prayer from its times. They said: Shall we fight them, O Messenger of Allah? He said:Sahih Muslim 1855a In one wording: Sahih al-Bukhari 7055, 7056 This indicates that the rulers - the kings and caliphs - who do not establish prayer, their disbelief is manifest disbelief, meaning: there is no doubt in it.
So it is obligatory for all Muslims, from the rulers, the kings, the ministers, and others, men and women, it is obligatory for all of them to care for prayer, and to preserve it in its times. So whoever abandons it, and turns away from it, has committed major disbelief in the most correct of the scholars' opinions.
And a group of the people of knowledge said: It is a disbelief less than disbelief, and a wrong less than wrong, if he acknowledges its obligation, and does not deny it, but this opinion is weak.
And the correct view is that it is major disbelief, so one must beware of that, and one must advise one another to preserve it, and to establish it in congregation in its times. It is obligatory for men to establish it in congregation in the houses of Allah, in all five times: the dawn, the midday, the afternoon, the sunset, and the night prayer. Many people may be lax with the dawn prayer, so they pray it at home, or after the sun rises, and this is a great abomination. One must beware of that, and advise one another to abandon that; for this is from the deeds of the hypocrites.
And likewise, it is obligatory for women to pray it in its time. It is obligatory for women to pray it in its time, in all five times, with the preservation of tranquility, and humility, for prayer is the pillar of Islam. Whoever preserves it, preserves his religion, and whoever neglects it, is more neglectful of what is besides it.
And it is established from the Messenger of Allah -may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him- that he said: Narrated by Imam Ahmad -may Allah have mercy on him- with a sound chain from Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'As, (may Allah be pleased with them both).
And this hadith clarifies that the one who abandons prayer has committed a great crime, and that he is a disbeliever, who will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection with Pharaoh, Qarun, and Abu Jahl. These are from the chiefs of the disbelievers, and from the leaders of the disbelievers. And the reason for his being gathered with them is: if he neglects it for the sake of leadership, and kingship; he becomes similar to Pharaoh, whose kingship and arrogance occupied him from following the truth. And if his ministry, and position occupy him from prayer, he resembles Haman, the minister of Pharaoh; so he will be gathered with him on the Day of Resurrection. We ask Allah for safety.
And if wealth and desires occupy him from prayer, he resembles Qarun, whom Allah caused the earth to swallow him and his house because of his arrogance, and his preoccupation with wealth from obeying Allah and His Messenger. And if trade, buying and selling occupy him from prayer, he resembles Abu Jahl, the merchant of the people of Mecca from the disbelievers, who was killed on the day of Uhud. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) killed him with his own hand.
So it is obligatory to beware of being lax with prayer. And Allah the Exalted has informed in His great Book that laziness regarding it, and heaviness regarding it, are from the characteristics of the people of hypocrisy. He said in Surat al-Nisa: [al-Nisa:142] This is from their evil characteristics. And He said -Mighty and Majestic- in Surat al-Tawbah: [al-Tawbah:54].
So it is obligatory to beware, and to care for prayer, and to preserve it in its times, for men and women. And one must specifically beware of neglecting the dawn prayer in congregation because of staying up late. One must beware of staying up late that leads you to abandoning prayer in its time, or in congregation. And this is general for men and women. One must beware of abandoning prayer altogether, and beware of neglecting it in congregation in the case of the man, and specifically beware of neglecting the dawn prayer, for men and women all; because it is an apparent imitation of the people of hypocrisy. And one must advise one another of this; because Allah the Exalted says: INDEED, MAN IS IN LOSSEXCEPT FOR THOSE WHO BELIEVE AND DO RIGHTDEEDS AND ENJOIN ONE ANOTHER TO TRUTH AND ENJOIN ONE ANOTHER TO PATIENCE [al-'Asr:1-3] And He says the Exalted: [al-Ma'idah:2] And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: , It was said: For whom, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Sahih Muslim 55a.
So from the advice to your family and your brothers is that you warn them from staying up late, and being glued to the television, or the satellite dish, or other than that.
As for staying up late in obedience to Allah, the late-night prayer, reading the Qur'an, studying knowledge, in the study; there is no harm in a little staying up late, that does not lead to abandoning prayer in congregation. If he stays up a little in knowledge in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, in studying knowledge, in the late-night prayer, this is a required matter, and he is rewarded for it. But he must beware that this staying up late occupies him from the obligatory prayer. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised Abu Hurayrah, and Abu al-Darda to pray the witr (the odd-numbered night prayer) in the first part of the night because they were studying knowledge, and it was difficult for them to stand in the last part of the night.
But whoever is strong enough to stand in the last part of the night; let him sleep early; so that he stands in the last part of the night, and prays from the night, and prays the dawn prayer in congregation, so that he combines all the good. We ask Allah for us and for all Muslims success and guidance, and rectification of intention and deed, and there is no power and no strength except by Allah.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
The first message in this episode is from one of the listening brothers. The sender is Abu 'Amr, Aziz Ahmad Kalbi. Abu 'Amr asks a collection of questions, among which is a question that says: There are hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he clarifies that the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. Does this disbelief take one out of the religion? May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, upon his family and his Companions, and upon whoever follows his path and is guided by his guidance until the Day of Judgment. As for what follows:
Prayer is the pillar of Islam, and the greatest of the pillars of Islam after the two testimonies. Abandoning it is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) according to all scholars if one denies its obligation, even if he prays, if he denies its obligation; it is disbelief by the consensus of the Muslims; because he is lying to Allah and His Messenger. Allah the Exalted says:
And establish prayer
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلاةَMaintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer
حَافِظُوا عَلَى الصَّلَوَاتِ وَالصَّلاةِ الْوُسْطَىand establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing
وَأَقِمِ الصَّلاةَ إِنَّ الصَّلاةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِAnd if he abandons it, and does not deny its obligation, or abandons some of it, it is also disbelief in the most correct of the scholars' opinions, whether he abandons the five, or abandons the midday prayer alone, or the afternoon prayer alone, or the dawn prayer alone, or the Friday prayer alone; he commits disbelief by that; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
Between a man and disbelief and shirk (associating partners with Allah) is the abandonment of prayer.
بين الرجل، وبين الكفر والشرك ترك الصلاةAnd he said -may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him-:
The covenant that distinguishes between us and them is prayer; so whoever leaves it, he has committed Kufr.
العهد الذي بيننا، وبينهم الصلاة، فمن تركها فقد كفرAnd the Companions asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) about the rulers who do not establish prayer... those who delay prayer from its times. They said: Shall we fight them, O Messenger of Allah? He said:
No, as long as they establish prayer among you.
لا، ما أقاموا فيكم الصلاةunless we noticed him having open Kufr (disbelief) for which we would have a proof with us from Allah
إلا أن تروا كفرًا بواحًا عندكم من الله فيه برهانSo it is obligatory for all Muslims, from the rulers, the kings, the ministers, and others, men and women, it is obligatory for all of them to care for prayer, and to preserve it in its times. So whoever abandons it, and turns away from it, has committed major disbelief in the most correct of the scholars' opinions.
And a group of the people of knowledge said: It is a disbelief less than disbelief, and a wrong less than wrong, if he acknowledges its obligation, and does not deny it, but this opinion is weak.
And the correct view is that it is major disbelief, so one must beware of that, and one must advise one another to preserve it, and to establish it in congregation in its times. It is obligatory for men to establish it in congregation in the houses of Allah, in all five times: the dawn, the midday, the afternoon, the sunset, and the night prayer. Many people may be lax with the dawn prayer, so they pray it at home, or after the sun rises, and this is a great abomination. One must beware of that, and advise one another to abandon that; for this is from the deeds of the hypocrites.
And likewise, it is obligatory for women to pray it in its time. It is obligatory for women to pray it in its time, in all five times, with the preservation of tranquility, and humility, for prayer is the pillar of Islam. Whoever preserves it, preserves his religion, and whoever neglects it, is more neglectful of what is besides it.
And it is established from the Messenger of Allah -may Allah's prayers and blessings be upon him- that he said:
Whoever preserves prayer; it will be for him a light, and a proof, and a salvation on the Day of Resurrection, and whoever does not preserve it; he will not have a light, nor a proof, nor a salvation, and he will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection with Pharaoh, and Haman, and Qarun, and Abu Jahl
من حافظ على الصلاة؛ كانت له نورًا وبرهانًا ونجاةً يوم القيامة، ومن لم يحافظ عليها؛ لم يكن له نور، ولا برهان، ولا نجاة، وحشر يوم القيامة مع فرعون، و هامان، وقارون، وأبي بن خلفAnd this hadith clarifies that the one who abandons prayer has committed a great crime, and that he is a disbeliever, who will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection with Pharaoh, Qarun, and Abu Jahl. These are from the chiefs of the disbelievers, and from the leaders of the disbelievers. And the reason for his being gathered with them is: if he neglects it for the sake of leadership, and kingship; he becomes similar to Pharaoh, whose kingship and arrogance occupied him from following the truth. And if his ministry, and position occupy him from prayer, he resembles Haman, the minister of Pharaoh; so he will be gathered with him on the Day of Resurrection. We ask Allah for safety.
And if wealth and desires occupy him from prayer, he resembles Qarun, whom Allah caused the earth to swallow him and his house because of his arrogance, and his preoccupation with wealth from obeying Allah and His Messenger. And if trade, buying and selling occupy him from prayer, he resembles Abu Jahl, the merchant of the people of Mecca from the disbelievers, who was killed on the day of Uhud. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) killed him with his own hand.
So it is obligatory to beware of being lax with prayer. And Allah the Exalted has informed in His great Book that laziness regarding it, and heaviness regarding it, are from the characteristics of the people of hypocrisy. He said in Surat al-Nisa:
Indeed, the hypocrites [think to] deceive Allah, but He is deceiving them. And when they stand for prayer, they stand lazily, showing [themselves to] the people and not remembering Allah except a little,
إِنَّ الْمُنَافِقِينَ يُخَادِعُونَ اللَّهَ وَهُوَ خَادِعُهُمْ وَإِذَا قَامُوا إِلَى الصَّلاةِ قَامُوا كُسَالَى يُرَاءُونَ النَّاسَ وَلا يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًاAnd what prevents their expenditures from being accepted from them but that they have disbelieved in Allah and in His Messenger and that they come not to prayer except while they are lazy and that they do not spend except while they are unwilling.
وَمَا مَنَعَهُمْ أَنْ تُقْبَلَ مِنْهُمْ نَفَقَاتُهُمْ إِلَّا أَنَّهُمْ كَفَرُوا بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَلا يَأْتُونَ الصَّلاةَ إِلَّا وَهُمْ كُسَالَى وَلا يُنفِقُونَ إِلَّا وَهُمْ كَارِهُونَSo it is obligatory to beware, and to care for prayer, and to preserve it in its times, for men and women. And one must specifically beware of neglecting the dawn prayer in congregation because of staying up late. One must beware of staying up late that leads you to abandoning prayer in its time, or in congregation. And this is general for men and women. One must beware of abandoning prayer altogether, and beware of neglecting it in congregation in the case of the man, and specifically beware of neglecting the dawn prayer, for men and women all; because it is an apparent imitation of the people of hypocrisy. And one must advise one another of this; because Allah the Exalted says:
By Time,
وَالْعَصْرِ cooperate in righteousness and piety
وَتَعَاوَنُوا عَلَى الْبِرِّ وَالتَّقْوَىReligion is sincere advice, religion is sincere advice, religion is sincere advice
الدين النصيحة، الدين النصيحة، الدين النصيحةTo Allah, to His Book, To His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their masses.
لله، ولكتابه، ولرسوله، ولأئمة المسلمين وعامتهمSo from the advice to your family and your brothers is that you warn them from staying up late, and being glued to the television, or the satellite dish, or other than that.
As for staying up late in obedience to Allah, the late-night prayer, reading the Qur'an, studying knowledge, in the study; there is no harm in a little staying up late, that does not lead to abandoning prayer in congregation. If he stays up a little in knowledge in obedience to Allah and His Messenger, in studying knowledge, in the late-night prayer, this is a required matter, and he is rewarded for it. But he must beware that this staying up late occupies him from the obligatory prayer. And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) advised Abu Hurayrah, and Abu al-Darda to pray the witr (the odd-numbered night prayer) in the first part of the night because they were studying knowledge, and it was difficult for them to stand in the last part of the night.
But whoever is strong enough to stand in the last part of the night; let him sleep early; so that he stands in the last part of the night, and prays from the night, and prays the dawn prayer in congregation, so that he combines all the good. We ask Allah for us and for all Muslims success and guidance, and rectification of intention and deed, and there is no power and no strength except by Allah.
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.