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How
does one behave toward a relative who does not pray?
Question:
I have a brother-in-law who rarely prays. I live with my husband's
family and [the female members of] his family sit with him
even if the Imaam
is praying. What should I do? I am not one of his relatives
(mahram).
Is there any sin upon me since I do not have the ability to
advise him?
Response:
If he does not pray, then he is deserving to be boycotted.
You should not greet him nor should you respond to his greeting,
until he repents. This is because not praying is a great form
of kufr
[that takes one out of the fold of Islaam]. This is true even
if the person does not deny that it is obligatory. This is
according to the most correct opinion among the scholars.
The Prophet (sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam) said:
((The
covenant that is between us and them [the disbelievers] is
the prayer. Whoever abandons it has committed blasphemy)).
This was recorded by Ahmad and the compilers of the Sunan
with a sound chain.
The
Prophet (sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam) also said:
((Between
a man and disbelief and polytheism is the abandoning of the
prayer)). This was recorded by Imaam Muslim in
his Saheeh.
However,
if a person denies the obligation of the prayers then he is
a disbeliever according to the consensus of the scholars.
Therefore, it is obligatory upon his family to advise him
and to boycott him if he does not repent. It is also obligatory
to take his matter to the ruler for him to be asked to repent.
If he repents, [that is accepted from him]. If he does not
repent, he is to be killed. This is because Allaah has said
in the Qur.aan:
{But
if they repent and offer prayer perfectly and give zakaah,
then leave their way free}, [Soorah
at-Towbah, Aayah
5].
Also,
the Prophet (sal-Allaahu
`alayhe wa sallam) said:
((I
have been prohibited from killing those who pray)).
These
evidences show that one who does not pray is not to have his
"way left free" and there is no prohibition against killing
him if he is taken to the authorities and he does not repent.
And
Allaah is the One who provides guidance.
Shaykh
Ibn Baaz
Fataawa al-Mar.ah
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