What is the ruling in Islam on a man who prays and fasts during Ramadan but does not pray for the rest of the year, despite being advised repeatedly?
Answer:
One who prays only in Ramadan is considered a disbeliever (kafir), just like one who prays only on Fridays. A person must pray consistently, as prayer is the pillar of Islam and an obligation upon every Muslim, male and female. Anyone who abandons prayer except during Ramadan or Fridays is a disbeliever. Such a person must be called to repent by the authorities—whether a ruler or a court. If they repent, they are forgiven; otherwise, they should be executed as an apostate. This is the correct view among scholars.
Some scholars hold that such a person should be executed but does not reach the level of disbelief unless they deny the obligation of prayer. However, if they do not deny its obligation but still abandon it, they should be called to repent. If they do not repent, they should be executed as a prescribed punishment (had), not as an act of disbelief.
The correct view, however, is that abandoning prayer constitutes disbelief (kufr), even if the person does not deny its obligation. This is based on the saying of the Prophet May God bless him and grant him peace: "Between a person and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer." (Narrated by Muslim)
The Prophet May God bless him and grant him peace also said: "The covenant that distinguishes us from them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved."
This ruling applies regardless of whether the person denies the obligation of prayer or simply neglects it, and it applies to both men and women.
It is obligatory for every Muslim, male and female, to perform their prayers on time and to avoid neglecting them. If a person prays some of the prayers but regularly abandons others—for example, if they pray all except Fajr, or if they pray the five daily prayers but abandon Jumu'ah (Friday prayer)—they are still considered disbelievers until they fulfill all obligatory prayers.
Thus, those who have abandoned prayer must repent sincerely to Allah, cease their neglect, and make a sincere and truthful repentance. They do not need to make up the missed prayers, as sincere repentance wipes away past sins. Allah says in the Qur’an: "Say to those who have disbelieved: If they cease, what has passed will be forgiven for them." (Al-Anfal: 38)
And He also says: "O you who have believed, repent to Allah with sincere repentance." (At-Tahrim: 8)
And: "And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed." (An-Nur: 31)
This issue—neglecting prayer—is a grave matter that has affected many people, both men and women. It is a serious calamity, and everyone must beware of it. A person should not be deceived by those who claim that abandoning prayer does not amount to disbelief. Even if, according to some views, it is not considered disbelief, it is still a major sin—greater than adultery, greater than drinking alcohol, and greater than sodomy.
In fact, abandoning prayer is the gravest sin after disbelief in Allah. The correct view is that it constitutes major disbelief (kufr akbar), which takes a person out of Islam—may Allah protect us.
The Prophet May God bless him and grant him peace said: "Whoever maintains it (prayer), it will be a light, proof, and salvation for him on the Day of Judgment. But whoever does not maintain it will have no light, no proof, and no salvation. On the Day of Judgment, he will be with Pharaoh, Haman, Qarun, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf." (Narrated by Ahmad)
He also said: "Between a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandonment of prayer."
And: "The covenant that distinguishes us from them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved."
Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) used to write to his governors, saying: "The most important matter to me is prayer. Whoever preserves it has preserved his religion, and whoever neglects it will be even more negligent in everything else."
And he also said: "There is no share in Islam for the one who abandons prayer."
May Allah grant us steadfastness in prayer and protect us from negligence in fulfilling His commands.
