The Ruling on Ignorance of the Rulings of Prayer
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Q211: The questioner says: Some people in some remote villages, far from education, da'wah, and guidance, are ignorant of many of the rulings and obligations of the religion, including prayer. They do not know the number of rak'ahs in the obligatory prayers. Some of them pray Fajr with three or four rak'ahs, combining the sunnah and the fard
with a single taslim, and so on with the rest of the obligatory prayers out of ignorance. What is the ruling regarding their past prayers, and regarding those among them who died in that state?
A211: If their action was due to negligence on their part, meaning they did not ask or seek knowledge, and they had people who could guide and benefit them, but they neglected this and did not care, then their prayer is not valid; because they are not excused in this situation; because it is required of the Muslim to know the rulings of worship before performing it, and performing the obligatory duties and fard obligations specifically requires a person to know their rulings before starting them, so that he performs them in the prescribed manner, as much as he is able. If these people had people to guide them, and they were able to contact scholars, or had books and pamphlets available, or could obtain such things but did not do so, then these people are not excused, because they have no excuse, and their prayer is not valid. However, if they were unable to know the rulings of prayer, knowing that it is obligatory and required of them, but they were not able to know its rulings, and they had no one to explain it to them, and they were unable to contact scholars, then they pray according to their condition, and their prayer is valid; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:[At-Taghabun 64:16] ,
and the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1337 .
with a single taslim, and so on with the rest of the obligatory prayers out of ignorance. What is the ruling regarding their past prayers, and regarding those among them who died in that state?
A211: If their action was due to negligence on their part, meaning they did not ask or seek knowledge, and they had people who could guide and benefit them, but they neglected this and did not care, then their prayer is not valid; because they are not excused in this situation; because it is required of the Muslim to know the rulings of worship before performing it, and performing the obligatory duties and fard obligations specifically requires a person to know their rulings before starting them, so that he performs them in the prescribed manner, as much as he is able. If these people had people to guide them, and they were able to contact scholars, or had books and pamphlets available, or could obtain such things but did not do so, then these people are not excused, because they have no excuse, and their prayer is not valid. However, if they were unable to know the rulings of prayer, knowing that it is obligatory and required of them, but they were not able to know its rulings, and they had no one to explain it to them, and they were unable to contact scholars, then they pray according to their condition, and their prayer is valid; due to the saying of Allah the Exalted:
So fear Allah as much as you are able and listen and obey and spend [in the way of Allah]; it is better for your selves. And whoever is protected from the stinginess of his soul - it is those who will be the successful.
فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنْفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ وَمَنْ يُوقَ شُحَّ نَفْسِهِ فَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُونَand the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
So when I command you to do anything, do it as much as it lies in your power
فإذا أمرتكم بشيء فأتوا منه ما استطعتم
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.