Q: Some people in a chatroom made me a disbeliever because i do not pray. Am i no more a muslim? BTW over i think 60% of muslim population doe snot pray, so are we all now no more muslims?

Answer: No, a person who does not pray does not automatically become a non-Muslim, and they do not need to retake the Shahada to remain within the fold of Islam. Neglecting Salah is a grave sin and a serious transgression. Not praying does not does not expel you from Islam unless you reject salah as a pillar of Islam. The fact that you have inquired, shows you care for Salah and Imaan!

Hadith for reflection:

Rasool (SAW) said:

• Between a person and disbelief (kufr) is abandoning the prayer.
• The covenant that distinguishes between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved.

These narrations suggest that abandoning prayer takes one to the brinks of disbelief (kufr). Some scholars interpret this literally, considering deliberate abandonment as kufr, while others view it as a severe warning, emphasizing the gravity of neglecting Salah rather than an absolute ruling of disbelief. We are of the opinion that it is the latter. This is more practical, in light of the problems that can be created by labeling majority of people as nonmuslims.

Accountability

Rasool (SAW) emphasized the significance of Salah:

• The first action for which a servant of Allah will be held accountable on the Day of Judgment is salah (prayer). If it( matters related to salah) is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound.

This highlights that Salah is the foundation of one’s deeds and a key indicator of a person’s faith and accountability.

Consequences of not praying

The neglect of Salah takes one very close to the brink of kufr, as it involves neglecting a fundamental pillar of Islam. May Allah protect us all from such transgressions and guide us to fulfill our obligations with sincerity and devotion.

Key Clarification

If a person denies that Salah is obligatory, they leave the fold of Islam, as rejecting a fundamental tenet is disbelief. However, failing to pray due to laziness or negligence, while sinful (fasiq), does not make someone a disbeliever.

It is essential to be cautious in declaring someone a non-Muslim, as this has profound implications, such as affecting Islamic marriage, inheritance, and other personal and communal matters. The focus should remain on advising and encouraging them to return to prayer, acknowledging the severe consequences of abandoning it without hastily labeling them as disbelievers.

Allah Certainly Knows Best.