Does not pray at all, so should one perform Hajj on his behalf?
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Fatwa number ( 16623 )
Q: My father passed away about fifteen years ago. He was a Muslim who fasted Ramadan, gave zakah to its recipients, gave charity, and did good, and he was known for this. But he did not pray at all, neither Jumu'ah nor congregational prayer, and he did not perform Hajj during his entire life. I am now confused about my situation and I want to perform Hajj on behalf of my father. Is it permissible for me to perform Hajj on behalf of my deceased father?
A : If what you mean by your question is that your father left off congregational prayer
and prayed alone, then he left off an obligatory act and committed a great sin by leaving it, but he does not become a disbeliever because of it. He should be prayed for, and Hajj should be performed on his behalf. However, if the meaning is that he did not pray at all, neither alone nor with the congregation, then he is not a Muslim if he did not repent before his death. It is not permissible to pray for him or to perform Hajj on his behalf, because leaving off prayer is disbelief that takes one out of the religion. This is based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, and his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): Sunan Ibn Majah 1079Sahih (Darussalam) narrated by Imam Ahmad and the people of the four Sunan collections with a sound chain, and there are many hadiths in this meaning. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: My father passed away about fifteen years ago. He was a Muslim who fasted Ramadan, gave zakah to its recipients, gave charity, and did good, and he was known for this. But he did not pray at all, neither Jumu'ah nor congregational prayer, and he did not perform Hajj during his entire life. I am now confused about my situation and I want to perform Hajj on behalf of my father. Is it permissible for me to perform Hajj on behalf of my deceased father?
A : If what you mean by your question is that your father left off congregational prayer
and prayed alone, then he left off an obligatory act and committed a great sin by leaving it, but he does not become a disbeliever because of it. He should be prayed for, and Hajj should be performed on his behalf. However, if the meaning is that he did not pray at all, neither alone nor with the congregation, then he is not a Muslim if he did not repent before his death. It is not permissible to pray for him or to perform Hajj on his behalf, because leaving off prayer is disbelief that takes one out of the religion. This is 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 that distinguishes between us and them is prayer; so whoever leaves it, he has committed Kufr.
العهد الذي بيننا وبينهم الصلاة، فمن تركها فقد كفر
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.