What is the ruling regarding those


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A: Scholars differ on the ruling regarding a Muslim who abandons Salah intentionally, if they do not deny its obligation. Some of them say they are considered Kafirs, which takes them out of the fold of Islam. They are considered apostates, and are given three days to repent. If they repent, it will be fine. If not, they are to be executed. Funeral Prayer should not be held for them; they should not be buried in the graves of the Muslims; they should not be greeted while living; we should not ask Allah to have mercy upon them or forgive them after death; they should not leave their inheritance to Muslims, nor should they inherit from Muslims, their money should be left to Bayt-ul-Mal (Muslim Treasury), whether people who abandon Salah are many or few. The ruling does not change according to their number.This is the strongest opinion, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, The covenant that distinguishes between us and them (the disbelievers) is Salah. Anyone who abandons it has committed Kufr (disbelief). Related by Imam Ahmad and the Compilers of Sunan (Hadith compilations classified by jurisprudential themes) with a sound chain of narration. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also stated, Between a servant and Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and Kufr is abandoning Salah. Related by Imam Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith, in addition to other Hadith in the same topic. The Jumhur (dominant majority) of scholars say that if a person denies its obligation, they are considered Kafirs and apostates from Islam, and the ruling on them is that previously mentioned. If a person does not deny its obligation, but abandons it (Part No. 6; Page No. 50) out of laziness, they have committed a major sin. However, this does not take them out of the fold of Islam. They should be granted three days to repent. If they repent, it will be fine. Otherwise, they should be executed as a Had (prescribed penalty), not due to Kufr. Thus, they should be washed and shrouded; the Funeral Prayer is offered on them; people should ask Allah to forgive them and have mercy upon them; they are buried in the graves of the Muslims; and they may inherit from others and others may inherit from them. In general, they are treated like ordinary Muslim sinners, whether alive or dead.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.




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