Who is this statement attributed to?
ما من قوم فيهم من يتهاون بالصلاة ولا يأخذون على يديه إلا كان أول عقوبتهم إن ينقص من أرزاقهم
Answer
Hafiz ibn Rajab Al Hambali (rahimahullah) has cited this as the statement of Abu Khallad (rahimahullah)
(Fathul Bari of Hafiz Ibn Rajab, vol. 2 pg. 278)
Also see here.
Translation
When a nation is negligent towards Salah, and none prohibits them against this/cautions them except that the first punishment to afflict them will be a decrease of sustenance.
Quranic Guidance
The performance of Salah is closely linked to one’s sustenance. In Surah Taha, Allah Ta’ala mentions “Instruct your family to perform Salah and be steadfast in [performing] it. We do not ask you for provision. We provide for you”
(Surah Taha, Verse: 132)
Hafiz Ibn Kathir (rahimahullah) states under the commentary of this Verse: “If you establish Salah, sustenance will come to you from avenues you did not anticipate”
(Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Surah: Taha, Verse: 132)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar