Fatwa: # 11996
Category: Beliefs
Country: Germany
Date: 13th August 2004

Title

If a Muslim does,t say his prayers then does he/she gets the status of Kafir?

Question

Respected Mufti Sahib, If a Muslim man or woman does not say his/her Fard prayers then does he/she gets the status of Kafir. With reference to the Hadith which states approximately that Salah is the difference between a Muslim and Kafir. What is the status of a Muslim who intentionally does not follow Fard or follows Haram. How should others react to such Brothers.

Answer

If a person does not deny the 5 salaah being Fard, but does not perform them, then he would be classified a major sinner, but would not leave the fold of Islam.

The hadith means that the difference between a true and perfect Muslim and a kaafir is salah, thus one who doesn't perform his salah is not a perfect believer. Anyone who commits major sins or leaves out Fard actions, without denying them being fard, would still be a muslim, however he should be advised and counselled to leave his bad ways. Close contacts should not be kept with such a person as his bad habits could rub of onto you.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Ml. Husain Kadodia
STUDENT: Darul Ifta

CHECKED & APPROVED: Mufti Ebrahim Desai

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