The Ruling on a Ruler Who Does Not Pray
Machine translationRead the Arabic original
Question:
If there is a ruler who claims to be a Muslim, but he does not pray, what is the scholars' ruling regarding him? And what is obligatory for him in this matter?
Answer:
Abandoning the prayer is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) — may Allah protect us from it — whether the person is an adult or a child; the intent here is one who has reached the age of accountability. Abandoning the prayer is major shirk according to the correct view.
Some scholars consider it minor shirk, viewing it as akin to sins, but the correct view is that it is major shirk; based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): And he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: But a group of scholars say that it is shirk less than shirk, but that is a weak opinion.
As for if he denies its obligation and says, "It is not obligatory," this is major shirk according to all scholars. We ask Allah for well-being.
If there is a ruler who claims to be a Muslim, but he does not pray, what is the scholars' ruling regarding him? And what is obligatory for him in this matter?
Answer:
Abandoning the prayer is major shirk (associating partners with Allah) — may Allah protect us from it — whether the person is an adult or a child; the intent here is one who has reached the age of accountability. Abandoning the prayer is major shirk according to the correct view.
Some scholars consider it minor shirk, viewing it as akin to sins, but the correct view is that it is major shirk; based on 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 الصلاةthe covenant between Us and them is the prayer, so whoever abandons it has committed disbelief
لعهد الذي بيننا وبينهم الصلاة فمن تركها فقد كفرAs for if he denies its obligation and says, "It is not obligatory," this is major shirk according to all scholars. We ask Allah for well-being.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.