What are the warnings to one who does not perform salaah?

Almighty Allah SWT warns us in various places in the Quraan. “Those in paradise will ask the criminals what has landed you all in Saqar? They will say: “We were not of those who used to pray, and we didn’t feed the poor, and we used to talk vainly with those who talked vain talk; and we used to deny the Day of Recompense until death came to us and we saw the reality of all that we denied” (Mudathir:40-47)

A person who does not read salaah is a kaafir, he is out of the fold of Islam and this is the verdict of the majority of the sahaabah RA. This is also the verdict of Imam Ahmed Hanbal RA. Imam Abu Hanifah RA, Imam Shafi RA and Imam Malik RA, say he dies a Muslim but Imam Shafi RA and Imam Malik RA have said that this person must be killed. Imam Abu Hanifah RA has said this person must be imprisoned.

Munafiqeen – Hypocrites – people who claim to be Muslim but are not. When they stand for salaah, it is done for show. Last one to arrive at the masjid and first to leave – in the light of the Quraan they are munafiqeen. To those who read salaah haphazardly and for show, Allah SWT says destruction to themor a valley in Jahannam. Nabi Muhammad SAW has said, “A person who leaves out their salaah deliberately is a kaafir and out of the fold of Islam.” There are many translations.

Nabi Muhammad SAW has said, “The most difficult salaah for the hypocrite is fajr and esha salaah.” Our masaajids at fajr are empty. May Allah SWT grant us the tawfeeq to perform our salaah daily and on time whether we are at home or on a journey.