> If you do not pray, You're not a muslim

[abdulrahman al muhajir]

Many people mistakenly believe that it is sufficient for one to merely claim to be Muslim and declare the Kalimah, or shahadah, (‘Laa ilaaha illallah') in order to be considered Muslim.

"Whoever declares ‘Laa ilaaha illallah' (there is no god worthy of worship but Allah) will enter Jannah (Paradise)," is a hadeeth (saying) of the Messenger Muhammad (SAW) that is often quoted and misconceived to justify this erroneous idea.

Although it is correct that a person is presumed Muslim for carrying a Muslim name, conveying the Islamic greetings and testifying the Kalimah (Laa ilaaha illallah), in reality they may not be Muslim unless they practise the commands of Allah.

Salah (the five daily prayers) epitomizes Imaan (belief in Allah). It is one of the cornerstones and pillars of the Deen (religion). Without it, one has no - or very little - Imaan.

A number of learned scholars, such as Imaam al-Qurtubi (RH), even argue that Salah is the manifestation of Imaan (belief in Allah). This is because Salah consists of intentions (i'tiqaad, or ‘belief'), sayings (recitation of the Qur'aan) and physical actions - all of which are the building blocks of Imaan.

And the fact that Salah personifies Imaan, abandoning it is tantamount to abandoning Imaan. There are many Hadeeths that prove this fact. It is reported that Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:

"I have been ordered to fight people until they declare ‘Laa ilaaha illallah'.....and establish the prayer (Salah)....And if they do that, their life and wealth will be safe from me. And their accountability is with Allah." (Sahih al-Bukhaari)

"The difference between a man and disbelief (in Allah) and shirk (associating partners with Him) is the prayer." (Sahih Muslim)

"That which differentiates us from the disbelievers is Salah. He who abandons it becomes a Kaafir (disbeliever)." (At - Tirmidhi)

Abandoning or neglecting Salah amounts to major ‘kufr' (disbelief in Allah) and apostasy. Therefore, it must be guarded, and the quality of its performance should be regularly evaluated.

Salah is the minimum requirement of being Muslim. It is one of the few obligations that are so pivotal that no excuse can be given for deserting it. The only one who is exempt from it is the child, the mentally insane or a woman on her menstrual cycle. Even on the battlefield, in the midst of fierce fighting, one is still required to perform Salah, albeit shortened and combined. If such a person, facing such adversity, is not permitted to leave Salah, what excuse can one who is ‘busy' at work, fit, has a comfortable life, clean clothes, a home and a healthy income present to Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgement for abandoning the prayer?

So do not become like Iblees (Shaytaan): Prostrate to your Lord, Allah, when you are commanded to prostrate. And know that the only things that prevent you from doing so are arrogance and pride (as well as laziness).

Should we not be grateful servants and thank Allah (SWT) for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us? Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says in the Qur'aan:

"And when (the people of Hell are) asked, ‘What caused you to enter the Fire (Hell)?' They will say (with utter remorse), ‘We never used to pray.' "

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