Explaining the optimal approach for advising one who abandons prayer
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Q331: The questioner asks: What is the optimal approach for dealing with one who abandons prayer, or one who says that he prays in his home or at his workplace?
A331: The optimal approach for one who completely abandons prayer and does not pray is that this is considered apostasy from Islam. The optimal approach is to advise this person. If he complies, praise be to Allah; otherwise, his case is referred to the authorities. If there are authorities in the country who enforce the hudud (fixed Qur'anic punishments), the hudud of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), then likewise if he prays but abandons the congregational prayer, this is abandoning an obligatory duty, but he is not declared a disbeliever. He is one who abandons an obligatory duty and commits a wrong. He is to be advised. If he acts upon it, praise be to Allah; otherwise, the case is referred to the Commission for Promoting Virtue and Prohibiting Vice to have him brought in and to monitor him, unless there is no Commission for Promoting Virtue and Prohibiting Vice in the country. In that case, he continues to advise him and be strict with him, so that perhaps he will repent.
A331: The optimal approach for one who completely abandons prayer and does not pray is that this is considered apostasy from Islam. The optimal approach is to advise this person. If he complies, praise be to Allah; otherwise, his case is referred to the authorities. If there are authorities in the country who enforce the hudud (fixed Qur'anic punishments), the hudud of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), then likewise if he prays but abandons the congregational prayer, this is abandoning an obligatory duty, but he is not declared a disbeliever. He is one who abandons an obligatory duty and commits a wrong. He is to be advised. If he acts upon it, praise be to Allah; otherwise, the case is referred to the Commission for Promoting Virtue and Prohibiting Vice to have him brought in and to monitor him, unless there is no Commission for Promoting Virtue and Prohibiting Vice in the country. In that case, he continues to advise him and be strict with him, so that perhaps he will repent.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.