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Does One Become a Disbeliever by Refusing to Pray When Asked?

Answered as per Hanafi Fiqh by Seekersguidance.org

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch 

Question Summary


Does one become a disbeliever by refusing to pray when asked? Is it permissible to give someone a smartphone if it may possibly be used for impermissible activities?

Question Answer


In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

One does not become a disbeliever (kafir) merely by refusing to pray.

Imam Tahawi (Allah have mercy on him) states, “The servant (of God, i.e., the Muslim) does not leave faith except by rejecting that which brought him into it.” [Tahawi, al-‘Aqida al-Tahawiyya]

Refusing to pray does not necessitate disbelief; however, rejecting the obligation of pray does. [Ibid.] That said, not praying is a major sin from which one must repent, but it is not disbelief as long as they do not reject the fact that it is an obligation.

There are a few discussions in relation to the above:

Etiquette in Speech


The first is that even though refusing to pray when asked is not disbelief, it is best that one choose the best of words out of etiquette for Allah Most High and the sanctity of the prayer. For example, if you are asked to pray but due to some circumstances you cannot pray, you should not say, ‘No. I’m not praying!.’ It is better to say, for example, ‘You go on and pray. You don’t have to wait for me.’

Another example of etiquette in speech relates to the one asking others to pray. When asking someone, make the question such that there is no possibility of an explicit refusal from the other. For example, ‘Hey brother, we are going to pray if you’d like to join us.’ This is a statement and not a question that can be refused.

Having Good Opinion

Secondly, if one invites another to pray, and they say no, we must have a good assumption of that person. It may be that they already prayed or that they plan to pray later with their family at home. We should not assume that they don’t pray.

Why Do People Say Refusal is Disbelief?


I have heard people mention, ‘if you ask someone to pray and they refuse, you have made them a disbeliever…’ or the like. The statement is incorrect, as explained above, but one can assume that this is hyperbole. When one explicitly refuses to pray after being invited or asked, the explicitness of the refusal resembles the response that a disbeliever would give, and it’s ugly. This is likely why the above statement is said, although incorrect – another example of the importance of etiquette in speech.

Smartphone and Sinful Activities


Is it permissible to give someone a smartphone when it is possible that they use it for sinful activities?

Yes, it is permissible for the following reasons:

The smartphone, like much of technology, can be used for good, and it can be used for bad as long as it is something that has an aspect of permissible usage, you can give it to someone or even sell it. If the person goes on to use it in a sinful way, you are not accountable. [Ibn Nujaym, al-Ashbah wa al-Nazair]

This goes back to the principle: ‘matters are based on their purposes.’ [Ibid.]

However, if you give the smartphone intending to assist them in doing sinful activities, it is strictly prohibited to give it. [Ibid.]

Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

 

This answer was collected from Seekersguidance.org. It’s an online learning platform overseen by Sheikh Faraz Rabbani. All courses are free. They also have in-person classes in Canada.

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