If You Do Not Pray, You're Not a Muslim

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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, in reality they may not be
Muslim unless they practise the commands of Allah. The Almighty says in the Qur'aan:

"And among mankind are those who say. ‘We believe in Allah and the Last Day,' but they
are not believers." (Al-Baqarah, 2:8)

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 reckoning will be with Allah." (Saheeh al-Bukhaari)

"The difference between a man and disbelief (kufr) and idolatry (shirk) is the prayer."
(Saheeh Muslim)

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

Abandoning or neglecting Salah amounts to major ‘kufr' (rejection, or 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. Nobody is exempt from it -

including elderly people, the disabled and those who happen to suffer from chronic
illnesses - except the mentally ill, a child or a woman on her menses.
Salah is one of the few obligations that are so pivotal in Islam that no excuse can be given
for deserting it. Moreover, it cannot be substituted by undertaking Hajj, or by sadaqah
(charitable deeds or donations). And nor can it be performed on someone else's behalf.

Even on the battlefield, in the midst of fierce fighting, one is still required to pray,

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?

There really is no excuse for neglecting Salah. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said the
whole world is a place of prayer (mosque). You can pray on any dry surface, except in a
lavatory or graveyard. If you're short of water, you can use clean earth, which is all
around us. If you're travelling (thirty miles or more from home), you can shorten and
combine your prayers. If you are on the move, you can complete your wudoo' (ablution)
by wiping over your socks. And if you are unable to stand, you can pray sitting or lying
down.

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.' "