Fasting while not praying...!!

Fasting While not Praying

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fowzaan al-Fowzaan

Reference: Al Muntaqa Fataawah Shaykh Saaleh Al Fawzan: vol.2 P.427-428

Category: Fasting

What do you say concerning the response which was mentioned in one of the Arab magazines in regards to a question that was asked about one who fasts during the month of Ramadaan while abandoning the Salaat? The response was given by one of the teachers in Jami’atul Azhar (Azhar University) in Egypt. Where he said: “Allaah says: “Whoever does an atoms weight of good shall see it, and whoever does an atoms weight of evil shall see it” [99:7-8] Meaning, whoever fasts the month of Ramadaan then he will receive the reward for his fasting, even if, at the same time, he abandons the Salaat. Therefore, upon him is the sin of abandoning his Salaat. So the fact that he has a shortcoming in the obligatory act of worship does not prevent him from having another accepted.

This response is general, because the one who abandons the Salaat, if he rejects the fact that it is mandatory, then he is a disbeliever by the Ijmaa’ (consensus) of the Muslims. And neither the Salaat nor any other act of worship will benefit him, because Allaah says:

“And We shall turn to whatever deeds they (disbelievers, polytheists, sinners) did, and We shall make such deeds as scattered floating particles of dust." [25:2]

And Allaah says:

“The parable of those who disbelieved in their Lord is that their works are as ashes, on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day; they shall not be able to get aught of what they have earned. That is the straying, far away (from the right path).”

And the Ayaat in this regard are many. As for if he abandoned the Salaat lazily or neglectfully along with the fact that he acknowledges it’s obligation upon him then there is a difference of opinion amongst the people of knowledge. From them are those who see that he has disbelieved Kufr Akbar (Major disbelief) that which removes one from the fold of Islaam, like the previous one. And based upon this opinion his Salaat is invalid and so is his fasting and any other act of ‘Ibaadah, or any act of good. None of it is accepted from him because it wasn’t built upon the correct foundation and the evidence of his belief is that which has come in the Hadeeth:

“The contract between us and them is the Salaat, and whoever abandons it has disbelieved.” (From the Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, At Tirmithi and Ibn Majah from the Hadeeth of ‘Abdullaah Ibn Buraydah, on the authority of his father)

In another Hadeeth:

“Between a man and Shirk or Kufr (disbelief) is the abandonment of the salaat” (Found in the Sahih of Imaam Muslim)

And the verses of the Quraan are many that point to this fact. also. From them is the statement of Allaah Ta'aala:

“But if they repent, perform As Salat, and give Zakaat, then they are your brethren in religion…” [9:11]

So this Ayah proves that the one who doesn’t establish the Salaat then he is not from our brothers in Deen. Meaning he is a Kaafir (disbeliever) and the people of the Hell fire will say on the Day of Resurrection when they are asked

“What has caused you to enter the Hell Fire?"

They will reply:

“We were not of those who used to offer the Salat (prayers). Nor did we used to feed the Miskeen (needy), and we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hates) with the vain talkers, and we used to deny the Day of Judgement…” (74:42-46)

Disbelief in the Day of Judgement is, without a doubt, disbelief so Allaah connected him with the one who abandons the Salaat pointing toward the fact that abandoning the Salaat is Kufr also! So the evidences pointing towards this are clear and in abundance that the one who abandons the Salaat either lazily or neglectfully intentionally then he has disbelieved, even if he acknowledges it’s obligation and this is the most correct and preferred view because of the many proofs.

The second opinion of the people of knowledge is that he has not disbelieved Kufr Al Akbar, which doesn’t remove him from the fold of Islaam rather it is Kufr Al Asghar (Minor Kufr) which he should be punished (by the ruler or leader of that Muslim country) until he establishes the Salaat.

Perhaps the teacher, who responded in the magazine, intended this opinion but it is not the most acceptable view and the evidences are in opposition to it and it was more appropriate for him to clarify to the people and not to deceive them in this manner by responding with this general reply and Allaah knows best.

Translator: Shadeed Muhammad, Abu Az-Zubayr

Date Published: Tuesday, 25 October 2005