Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

Society Religion & Philosophy
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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

**:: S-A-L-A-A-T ::

Salaat is a basic pillar of Islam
It is mentioned again and again in the Quran
The importance of prayer is in seven hundred places
But in the mosque, do you see many young faces?

Praying in the mosque gives 25-27 times more reward
Praying with the intention that you’re pleasing your Lord
When you walk to the mosque, just remember within
You gain a reward and you’re losing a sin

For every step towards your destination
This is a blessing from Allah (swt) to his creation
The Quran has foretold, that before you are dead
“Say your prayers before your prayers are said”

While seeing elders pray at the mosque door
Remember as a young person, your reward is 70 times more

Read salaat punctually, read it with care
On Judgement Day, we will be asked about prayer
That’s the first question, so take this advice

Salaat is the key to paradise
Spread this word to Muslim sisters and brothers
Salaat will seperate Muslims from others
Salaat is a blessing which Allah (swt) gave
It will intercede and protect us in the grave

When it comes, eventually, to the Day of Rising
The believers body washed by wudu will be shining
For the believers who are regular in offering salaat
It becomes a light of guidance on the pul-siraat

Don’t miss the prayers at any cost
It will be like your family and wealth is lost
The Ayat-Ul-Kursi after fard, shud be read
It will lead you to paradise (Insha’Allah) after you’re Dead

Not reading salaat will lead you to hell
Surrounded by serpants in a deep well
Read your salaat whilst still in your prime
And read the Durood Shareef in your spare time

You’ll get ten rewards, the Lord (Insha’Allah) will accept your pleas
And you’ll be closer to Allah (swt) by ten more degrees
So embrace Islam with all your heart
And remember the key is reading salaat!!**

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

**The order to establish the Salah in the Quran >>>

*"Verily, I am Allah. There is no god but I: So serve thou Me (only), and establish regular prayer for My remembrance". * {Sura Tá-há, ayah #14}

"Establish regular prayers - at the sun's decline till the darkness of the night, and the recital of the Qurán in the morning prayer: for the recital of the dawn is witnessed." (Sura Al-Isrá, ayah # 78) note: How many of us sleep through this blessed time of Fajr Salah and lose this great reward!

*"And be steadfast in prayer; give Zakat; and bow down your heads with those who bow down (in worship)." * (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah # 43)

*"And be steadfast in prayer and regular in charity: And whatever good you send forth for your souls before you, you shall find it with Allah. for Allah sees Well all that you do." * (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah # 110)

*"Guard strictly your prayers, especially the Middle Prayer; and stand before Allah in a devout (frame of mind)." * (Sura Al-Baqarah, ayah # 238)

"*Those that turn (to Allah) in repentance; that serve Him, and praise Him; that wander in devotion to the Cause of Allah,: that bow down and prostrate themselves in prayer; that enjoin good and forbid evil; and observe the limit set by Allah.- (these do rejoice). So proclaim the glad tidings to the Believers." *
(Sura Al-Tauba, ayah #112)
<<note: In this ayah and the next few ayats Allah (swt) describes the belivers if we claim to be from them then we have to follow what Allah (swt) says in the Quran about them.

*"(They are) those who, if We establish them in the land, establish regular prayer and give Zakat, enjoin the right and forbid wrong: with Allah rests the end (and decision) of (all) affairs." * (Sura Al-Hajj, ayah # 41)

"O my Lord! make me one who establishes regular Prayer, and also (raise such) among my offspring, O our Lord!, and accept Thou my Prayer." (Sura Ibráhím, ayah # 40)
<<note: In this ayah and in the next few ayats we can see all the prophets used pray to Allah (swt). SubhanAllah look this is the duwaa of Ibráhím (Abraham {AS}) mentioned in the Quran and even he asked Allah (swt) to make him one who establishes regular prayer! May Allah (swt) make us from those.**

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

The importance of Salah in Hadith. >>>

Narrated AbuHurayrah (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) said: Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. (Sahih Muslim Book 2, Number 0448)

Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet added, "That is the example of the five prayers with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds." (Sahih Al Bukhari Volume 1, Book 10, Hadith # 506)

Narrated Uthman ibn Affan (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) at the time of our returning from our prayer told us (certain things pertaining to purification).
He said: I do not know whether I should tell you a thing or keep quiet. We said: Rasulullah, tell us if it is good and if it is otherwise, Allah and Messenger (SAW) know better. Upon this he said: A Muslim who purifies (himself) and completes purification as enjoined upon him by Allah and then offers the prayers, that will be expiatious (of his sins he committed) between these (prayers). (Sahih Muslim Book 2, Hadith # 0444)

Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah (RAA) Rasulullah (SAW) said: The similitude of five prayers is like an overflowing river passing by the gate of one of you in which he washes five times daily. Hasan said: No filthiness can remain on him. (Sahih Muslim Book 4, Hadith # 1411)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RAA) Rasualullah (SAW) said, "Martyrs are those who die because of drowning, plague, an abdominal disease, or of being buried alive by a falling building." And then he added, "If the people knew the Reward for the Zuhr prayer in its early time, they would race for it. If they knew the reward for the 'Isha' and the Fajr prayers in congregation, they would join them even if they had to crawl. If they knew the reward for the first row, they would draw lots for it." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Hadith # 688)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RAA) : Rasulullah (SAW) said, "Allah will prepare for him who goes to the mosque in the morning and in the afternoon (for the congregational prayer) an honorable place in Paradise with good hospitality for (what he has done) every morning and afternoon goings. (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Hadith # 631)

Narrated Abu Hurairah (RAA) Rasualullah (SAW) said, "No prayer is harder for the hypocrites than the Fajr and the 'Isha' prayers and if they knew the reward for these prayers at their respective times, they would certainly present themselves (in the mosques) even if they had to crawl." The Prophet added, "Certainly I wish to order the Mu'adh-dhin (call-maker) to pronounce Iqama and order a man to lead the prayer and then take a fire flame to burn all those who had not left their houses so far for the prayer along with their houses." (Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 1, Book 11, Hadith # 626) note: We should see the importance of Fajr and Isha salah in the Masjid.

Narrated Abu Huraira: "Rasulullah (SAW) said, "The angels keep on asking Allah's forgiveness for anyone of you, as long as he is at his Mu,salla (praying place) and he does not pass wind (Hadath). They say, 'O Allah! Forgive him, O Allah! be Merciful to him." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Book 8, Hadith #436)

Rasulullah (SAW) said,"The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." [Recorded by al-Tabarani. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol.1, p. 503.] note: for those who say 'I don't pray but my heart is clean should take this warning from Rasulullah (saw) and establish the prayer before they are brought to account infront of Allah (swt)!

Rasulullah (saw) said "Allah has obligated five prayers. Whoever excellently performs their ablutions, prays them in their proper times, completes their bows, prostrations and khushu[Khushu in the prayer is where the person’s heart is attuned to the prayer.] has a promise from Allah that He will forgive him. And whoever does not do that has no promise from Allah. He may either forgive him or punish him." [Recorded by Malik, Ahmad, Abu Dawud, al-Nasa’I and others. According to al-Albani, it is sahih. Al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami, vol. 1, p. 616.] note: SubhanAllah Allah (swt) is giving us a PROMISE that he will forgive us! What more can we ask for? How can I pray when I have so many sins, they should realize this prayer is a way for them to get their sins forgiven.

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

Warning against abandoning Salah >>>

Allah (SWT) says "Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As-Salât (the prayers) * and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe (in the Oneness of Allâh and His Messenger Muhammad SAW), and work righteousness. Such will enter Paradise and they will not be wronged in aught." (Sura Maryam, ayat 59-60) note: Here we see what is the place for those who have abandoned the prayer but Allah (swt) is the most mercyful and gives us chances to repent and be saved.

Allah (swt) says in Sura Al-Mâ'ûn "So woe unto those performers of Salât (prayers) (hypocrites),Who delay their Salât (prayer) from their stated fixed times,Those who do good deeds only to be seen (of men)," (Sura Al-Mâ'ûn, ayat 4 - 6) note: This ayah shows us that we have to pray our Salah on its fixed timings and not dalay them without a valid reason (i.e. traveling, jihad etc..) and how much we need to have sincaerity in your prayer and do it only for Allah (swt).

Allah (swt) further warns us in the Quran "O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allâh. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers." (Sura Al-Munaafiqoon, ayah #9)
The commentators of the Qur'aan say: "The 'remembrance of Allaah' mentioned in these Aayaat means the five daily prayers. If anyone is so busy in buying and selling, or with his daily work of earning a livelihood, or with his children, that he cannot perform prayers on time, he will be among the losers."

Informing us about the inhabitants of Hell, Allaah (SWT) says "(The people in Hell will be asked What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: "We were not of those who used to offer their Salât (prayers). Nor did we feed the poor. And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hated) with vain-talkers. And we used to belie thc Day of Recompense. Until there came to us that which is certain (i.e., death). So no Intercession of intercessors will benefit them. (Sura Al-Muddaththir, ayah 42-48)

Rasulullah (SAW) said "The covenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it he has become a disbeliever." (Agreed upon by Ahmad, Tirmidhee and Nasaa'ee to be authentic)

In an other Hadith of Rasulullah (SAW) said "What lies between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer." ( Agreed upon by Muslim, Abu Dawood and Nasaa'ee as sahih authentic)*

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

**The Importance of Salah in Islam >>>

Salah is the 2nd and most important pillar of Islam. The second you say the 1st Kalima, salah is mandatory on every Muslim. There are no excuses, not even when you are ill, on a journey or even in war.

Allah (s.w.t.) has said in the Holy Qur’an: "I have not created the jinn and humankind for any other purpose except that they should worship me."

Salah strengthens the foundations of our faith. It prepares a person to live the life of goodness and obedience to Allah (s.w.t.), and it builds courage and determination. Every time we perform salah, we renew our commitments to Allah (s.w.t.) and we rid ourselves from worldly pleasures 5 times a day.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said "The person that observes prayer properly, the prayer itself, blesses him with good wishes."

According to a hadith a companion of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) came to him one day and asked him "What is the thing that Allah (s.w.t.) loves most?" Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) replied "The thing that Allah (s.w.t.) loves most is when his people pray salah on time."

A muslim who does not move from his place after hearing the call for prayer, in fact proves that either he does not even understand what his duty is, or if he does understand it he is so stupid and worthless, that he is quite unfit to remain in the army of Allah (s.w.t.).

Salah is a practical sign of obedience to the commands of Allah (s.w.t.). Its importance has been emphasized so many times in the Holy Qur’an.

Once Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) shook a dry branch of a tree so that all of the leaves of the branch fell off than the Prophet (s.a.w.) said "The sins of those who pray Salah, drop off as the leaves of this branch fell off."

Before salah, we make Wudu. Wudu is a unique way of cleansing certain parts of our body so we are clean before bowing down to the one who created us, who created the universe the one and only Allah (s.w.t.).

The Rasulallah (s.a.w.) once asked his companions "Tell me if there was a river at the door step of one of you in which you washed 5 times a day would any of your dirt remain?" When he received the reply that none of it would remain he then said "That is like the 5 times Salah, with which Allah (s.w.t.) wipes out sin.

The last thing that Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) emphasized at his deathbed was SALAH. He also said the first thing we will have to answer about on the day of judgement is SALAH.

It is said in the Holy Qur’an: "And truly Salah is hard save for the humble minded." Meaning, that Salah is hard only on those who are not ready to lead a life of obedience to Allah (s.w.t.), and on whom Salah is hard, provides himself proof of not being fit for the servitude and obedience to Allah (s.w.t.).

Salah improves and helps us to attain high moral qualities and to build a strong defense against evils which exist around us.

It is said in the Holy Qur’an, surely, Salah keeps you away from indecency and evil. This is why the prayer is described as "remembrance" to Allah (s.w.t.).

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) said the bond man is nearest to Allah (s.w.t.) at the moment when he is lying in prostration before him.

Salah reminds you of Allah (s.w.t.), when you get up in the morning, it reminds you three more times when you are busy during the day, and once again before you go to bed.

Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) once said, "The worst form of theft, is the theft of prayer." "How can one commit theft in prayer?" his companions asked, The Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h.) replied "By skipping on the complete performance of bows and prostration’s."

While in salah one communicates with Allah (s.w.t.) and experiences his presence. That’s why a hadith says: Salah is the Meraaj of a Momin.

The Rasulullah (s.a.w.) also said "The key to HEAVEN is SALAH. The key to SALAH is PURIFICATION.

My dear brothers and sisters, Salah is so important that a hadith says: Salah is the only distinction between a believer and a non-believer. So brothers and sisters, if we know salah is obligatory, and we know we have to read it, Why not read it on time?**

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

Abandoning Prayer (Salat) - A Major sin in Islam

Allah (SWT) says:

"Then there has succeeded them a generation which has given up prayers (i.e, made their praycrs to be lost, either by not offering them at all or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times, etc.) and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell. Except those who repent and believe in the Oneness of Allah and His Messenger, and act righteously." (Maryam, 19:59-60)

Allah (SWT) also says:

"Woe unto those performers of prayers (hypocrites) who are unmindful of their prayers (i.e., delay their prayer from its stated fixed time)." (Al-Maa'oon, 107:4-5)

And Allah (SWT) says:

*"O you who believe! Let not your properties or your children divert you from the remembrance of Allah. And whosoever does that, then they are the losers." * (Al-Munaafiqoon, 63:9)

The commentators of the Qur'an say: "The 'remembrance of Allah' mentioned in these Ayat means the five daily prayers. If anyone is so busy in buying and selling, or with his daily work of earning a livelihood, or with his children, that he cannot perform prayers on time, he will be among the losers."

*"The first thing which will be judged among a man's deeds on the Day of Resurrection is the Prayer. If this is in good order then he will succeed and prosper but if it is defective then he will fail and will be a loser." * (Nasaa'ee, Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah)

Informing us about the inhabitants of Hell, Allah (SWT) says:

*"(The people in Hell will be asked What has caused you to enter Hell? They will say: We were not among those who used to pray. Nor did we feed the poor. And we used to talk falsehood (all that which Allaah hated) with vain-talkers. And we used to belie thc Day of Recompense. Until there came to us that which is certain (i.e., death). So no Intercession of intercessors will benefit them." * (Al-Muddaththir, 74:42-48)

The Prophet (SAW) said:

*"The covenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it he has become a disbeliever." * (Ahmad, Tirmidhee, Nasaa'ee)

And he (SAW) also said:

*"What lies between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer." * (Muslim, Aboo Dawood, Nasaa'ee)

And he (SAW) said:

*"If anyone abandons prayer deliberately then he has no claim upon Allah." * (Ibn Majah, Adab-al-Mufrad of Bukhari, Tabarani)

And he (SAW) said:

"I have been ordered to fight against the people until they testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and until they perform the Prayers and pay the Zakah, and if they do so they will have gained protection from me for their lives and property, unless (they do acts that are punishable) in accordance with Islam, and their reckoning will be with Allah Most High." (Bukhari, Muslim)

The Prophet (SAW) mentioning the prayer, said:

"If anyone keeps to it, it will be light, evidence and salvation for him on the Day of Resurrection. But if anyone does not keep to it, it will not be light, evidence and salvation for him on the Day of Resurrection, and on that Day he will be associated with Qaroon, Pharaoh, Naman and Ubayy bin Khalaf (an enemy of Islam from among the Quraysh)." (Ahmad, Tabaraanee, Ibn Hibbaan)

<<Ibn Al-Qayyim explained: The person who abandons prayer will be raised with such a foursome (Qaroon,Pharaoh,Naman,Ubay bin Khalaf) because his neglect of prayer may be due to his involvement with his property, his country, his administrative work or his trade. Therefore, if he was involved with his property he will be ressurected with Qaroon; if with his country, then with Pharaoh; if with his administrative work, then with Haman; and if with his trade then with Ubayy bin Khalaf, the trader among the disbelievers of Makkah.

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "The first matter that the slave will be brought to account for on the Day of Judgment is the prayer. If it is sound, then the rest of his deeds will be sound. And if it is bad, then the rest of his deeds will be bad." (Recorded by al-Tabarani.)

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, "If a person had a stream outside his door and he bathed in it five times a day, do you think he would have any filth left on him?" The people said, "No filth would remain on him whatsoever." The Prophet (peace be upon him) then said, "That is like the five daily prayers: Allah wipes away the sins by them." (Recorded by al-Bukhari and Muslim.)

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

NOT GU!LTY... so your answer to the question is?

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

**The answer is in your question!
“Kafir” is a ‘non-believer of Allah’ , But those who believe can not use this word upon himself or the kind.

If you abandon your prayers - knowingly means ‘you know’ but won’t do it or do it later, does not make you a ‘munker’ (some one who denies Allah)
Therefore word ‘Kafir’ has no validation on us. **

Walalam - Only Allah :swt: knows best

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

^ what do you mean by 'non-believer of Allah'?

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

NOT GU!LTY that is one longgggggg cut ‘n’ paste. :yawn: :sleep: :sleep2:

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

You have to motivate and encourage yourself, no matter what someone says. Until you don't do that then I guess you have no hope.

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

I was emphasising (or copy’n’pasting if u must) the importance of Salah in Islam.
I dont see why we shud neglect our duty as Muslims to establish prayer… its not as hard as it seems… out of a 24-hour day the max it would sum upto is abt 1 hour.
One cant expect to attain Jannah whilst neglecting Salah.

Simple example >> A person is employed, he’ll get paid if he works, and sacked if he doesnt work.
Similarly, a Muslim will get paid (Paradise) if he prays Salah and does virtuous deeds (if Allah wills), and get sacked (Hell) if not (if Allah wills).

**Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran:

“And I created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me(alone).”
(Al-Zariyat, 51:56) **

The answer to the q is as above <<<<<<

The Prophet (SAW) said:

“The covenant between us and them is prayer, so if anyone abandons it he has become a disbeliever.” (Ahmad, Tirmidhee, Nasaa’ee)

And he (SAW) also said:

“What lies between a man and disbelief is the abandonment of prayer.” (Muslim, Aboo Dawood, Nasaa’ee)

And he (SAW) said:

“If anyone abandons prayer deliberately then he has no claim upon Allah.” (Ibn Majah, Adab-al-Mufrad of Bukhari, Tabarani)

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

^ the term "abandons" in these and other hadith can mean either:-

  1. Rejecting the prayer's obligation = kufr

  2. Leaving off praying due to laziness or whatever (but still accepting that a Muslim is obliged to pray) = not kufr according to the majority opinion

Since linguistically the word 'taraka' (abandon, leave, renounce, neglect) in these hadith can have either of the above two meanings these hadith on their own do not suffice to prove that if a person does not pray he becomes a kafir...

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

In my opinion......

Whatever the word 'taraka' means, either rejecting Salah as obligatory or knowing that one needs to pray Salah, but doesnt does so out of laziness etc
the above hadiths clearly state (with whichever meaning u wanna use of the word) that such a person is classed as a disbeliever.
....and Allah (swt) knows best.

And praying actually IS one of the most important things that differentiates a believer from a non-believer.
If we are not fulfilling our duties as a Muslim and instead leading a life in the ways of the kuffar then, u KNOOOOW its time to wake up.

These atheists and kuffar arent gonna guide u to the Right Path, they wanna drag u to hell alongside them..... only a true Muslim can help guide another Muslim with the help of Allah (swt). Take heed brothers and sisters and dont ignore the calls of Islam.

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Re: Does not praying make someone a Kafir?

It’s important to know what this word means otherwise the hadiths could be misunderstood.

It’s obvious that the two situations are not the same so forcing the same ruling onto both circumstances is likely erroneous.

You are back to square one… the hadiths lend themselves to more than one interpretation and it’s precisely because they don’t in fact “clearly state” what you say they do that there are differing views…

Al Nawawi (d.631AH) writes in his commentary on Sahih Muslim (hadith #146): “As for one who abandons salah, if he denies that it is obligatory (upon a Muslim to pray) then he is a disbeliever by consensus of the Muslims… If he abandons it out of laziness whilst believing in its obligation – as is the case with many people – then the scholars have differed in this regards. (Imam) Malik and (Imam) al Shafi’i and the majority of the predecessors (salaf) and those of later generations (khalaf) hold that he has not disbelieved but is a fasiq and is required to repent – if he repents (then fine), but if not the death penalty as a capital punishment is to be applied… And a group of the predecessors hold that such a person (who abandons prayer out of laziness whilst believing in its obligation) is a kafir and this has been reported from Ali ibn Abi Talib …] and is one of two reports from Ahmed ibn Hanbal… and Abu Hanifah and a group of the people of Kufa …] hold that such a one is not a kafir, nor is he to be killed, but should be reprimanded and confined until he prays…”

Ibn Rushd (d.595AH) writes in his Bidayat al-Mujtahid (translated as: The Distinguished Jurist’s Primer, Vol. 1, pp.98-99): “The opinion of those who said that he [who refuses to pray whilst not denying its obligation] is to be executed …] is weak. They have nothing to reply on except for a weak qiyas al-shabah if that is possible here, that is, the comparison of prayer, the foremost command, with murder, the foremost prohibition. The term ‘kufr’ is literally applied to mean ‘denial’, and it is known that the person relinquishing the prayer is not [necessarily] denying unless he relinquishes it with such a belief… The decision by interpretation that his hukm [ruling/situation] is the hukm of a disbeliever cannot be taken, except through an evidence, for it is a hukm that has not been established by the law in a way that a decision can be based upon it directly.”