What makes a Muslim, Shahada or Salaah?

Dear sister, I think you are not following what I am trying to say.

Faasiq, is not what I termed a person who does not pray. Faasiq is a term the scholars of Islam have used to categorise those people who indulge in major sins like missing salah. This is an issue related to jurisprudence.

I.e. scholars have taken the term kaafir and given a definition of what acts one must do or beliefs one must hold to be considered a kaafir and likewise with the term faasiq.

So you have for example:

Kafir: one who disbeliefs in Allah, one who blasphemes, etc. This is a DEFINITION of kafir.
Faasiq: one who openly sins with total disregard for sharia (yet acknowledging that he is sinning). This is a DEFINITION of faasiq.
Muttaqi: Upright and pious person, someone who tries his best to avoid sin and gives Allah his due. This is a DEFINITION of muttaqi.

If we see someone who doesn't pray we are not going to say he is a kaafir (unless he believes praying is not required or does something else blatant that takes him outside of the fold of islam), and we can hardly say he is a muttaqi, so where else does he fit in the above list? Obviously, faasiq.

Now, faasiq translated into English can mean 'corrupt', but not in the sense that you are assuming/ i.e. 'evil' or something along those lines, I assume.

I would say, faasiq = one who indulges in sin WITHOUT FEELING GUILT or any remorse, without even having the desire to rectify himself.

Also, re: judging. I don't look at everyone who doesn't pray and think 'tsk tsk tsk'. That's stupid. I am personally a very sinful person and would NEVER assume or TAKE FOR GRANTED that I am on the straight path and neither should anyone else.

Anyone who does has falled prey to the shaytan.

I try to make dua for guidance at least 32 times a day and we ALL do in our salah when we say 'ihdinas siratal mustaqeem'/'show us the right path way' in surah fatiha.

If it was a matter of having guarantee of being on the right path, we wouldn't ask Allah this many times a day for guidance.

format_quote Originally Posted by distressed

you'd think so ? I like the way, some members on here they think they are just that PERFECT ..seriously no1 makes mistakes, but its pretty easy for you guys to talk down and judge others.

How could you possibly guess what other people think of themselves? or that they are making judgment about others? Do you not think that perhaps you are prematurely doing just that? passing judgment and falsely attributing traits that might not have crossed other people's minds all together?
When we project our feelings unto others we are letting people know what goes on in our own psyche!

just as an addendum to the above. to judge is to be critical of someone, and I don't see how anyone can be critical of those they've never met? people are simply sharing definitions. Definitions don't necessarily have feelings of hope or disdain or anything else attached to them unless the individual chooses to elaborate on what those definitions conjure up in feelings. It is certainly not our place to inject that one must have a feeling of perfection or superiority or that of looking down on others simply for elaborating on a terminology!

I could have for instance taken your 'good for you' as a caustic tone of biting sarcasm, but choose not to attribute such a hostile notion to something as innocuous as 'good for you' I choose to take it in good will. We see in others what we are in fact!

all the best

is it common .... or more likely that a new muslim is more often to forget all the prayers.... i mean being catholic..... its ( rough example... ) but.... forgetting some of the lower feast days.... is more common until you get used to .. again for lack of better words ... how things work....
Does that make them a sinner.. when they are trying when it is their intent to make every prayer but on occasion.. time does get away from them.

Serena

format_quote Originally Posted by serena77

i'll be the first to admit on here i make mistakes as i have yet to take my shahada ... There may even be those who think that is a mistake.....
but I have never seen anyone on here who thinks they know everything about Islam or anything else. i'm sorry distressed that some may have come across that way to you... but a lot of things that are percieved... may or may not be truth.
Serena

OK folks, the sister had a question. no need to stop arguing...

in addressing the 5 Pillars of Islam:

1 Shahada - declaration of faith and belief
2 Salat - prayer 5 times a day
3 Fasting- Saum IF you are able
4 Zakat - charity IF you have so much $$
5 Hajj - journey to Makka IF you can afford it

there's no IF next to Salat, ergo it is of extreme importance, non negotiable so to speak. THAT BEING SAID, you're not gonna be "pope" over night, remember?

always do your best and seek the assistance of Allah! those who struggle get extra reward!

and everyone here means well!

The Shahadah makes a person a Muslim, but it takes a life time of Salah to be a Muslim.

Its not a religious duty of a Muslim to call anyone a Faasiq. Nor is it within our knowledge, whether our own Ibadah is anywhere near good enough to deserve forgiveness. Often people in need of advice are turned away very indirectly, when someone tell's them that due to their current position of not practicing acts of Ibadah; they have become Faasiq or Kaafir.

Islam teaches Muslims to encourage good and forbid evil; it doesn't teach us to throw hints towards people who may not be as practicing. People "naturally" have some sense of pride, which is elevated by their social reputation and status. Often this is a major fitna, which prevents them from being able to assist others, where others may require advice, understanding and knowledge.

For Ibadah, one must do this for the purpose of speaking to their creator. Its a chance to ask for forgiveness, guidance, blessings and support. Imagine being given the rare opportunity to get to meet and speak to someone very important (someone you've always wanted to meet). You may spend most of your time thinking of how to please that person, behave your best, dress as smart as possible, etc. Now what are the chances that you'll want to reschedule the meeting for another thirty odd years?

You neither need an appointment to speak to Allah, nor are you added to any waiting lists. In fact, you are booked five appointments daily for the rest of your life. Why waste that time doing something else?

If you are still reading this; Allah has given you a great blessing of sight and understanding. This isn't something everyone is gifted with, so one should be thankful for whatever he or she has.

Ibadah is a blessing, not a chore.

Assalamu Alaikum

Jazakum Allahu khair for your replies.

I'll present my views because I'm just trying to understand this a little more clearly as I find this something to be serious.

May Allah forgive me if I say anything out of ignorance but I would like to correct my ignorance.

Ok so I always believed that the Shahada and salaah go hand in hand and that one is invalid without the other. I say this because the shahada to me is the faith aspect of Islam, while salaah is the worship/practice aspect of islam and the greatest of practices. We proclaim the shahada on the basis and intent that we will follow it up with our practices. If you neglect your salaah, your deeds are invalid aren't they? Meaning whatever good you do, it is not counted. I understand that through Allah's mercy He would accept us just to believe in the shahada, but at the same time the difference between the Muslimeen and the kuffar is that we practice our faith rather than just believe in it...so what would be the point in believing something but not practicing it? I can't call someone a kaafir and I suppose I said what I said out of ignorance may allah forgive me...but isn't there some grievious punishment for one who neglects his salaah?

Sorry if I'm complicating things for myself Which I believe I am.

fi aman Allah
w'salaam

The Quran and Sunnah highlight criteria for Faith and Submission. Its not enough to say "I'm a Muslim (by name), so I don't have to practice or go through any trials". At the same time, practicing Islam isn't limited to Shahadah and Salah (although these are the first two pillars and of great importance). Other than the five pillars, Islam commands kindness, justice and understanding. Rasoolullah is reported to have said that the one who fills his belly while his neighbour starves, isn't one of us. Another hadeeth states the importance of good character (morals).

As Islam is a complete perfect way of life; one mustn't forget that their themselves still in that life, which they haven't completed. So saying "I can call you a Faasiq, because I was once like you are now" doesn't encourage the seeker of advice towards good; it only encourages rebellion. We can see examples of this problem, but many times we fail to realise that the person we're speaking to isn't going to learn anything benefitial by being called a Faasiq". Yes, its a duty for every sane Muslim to pray, but you have to consider the difference between advising someone and pushing them away.

The Quran gives many examples, e.g. "And why should I not worship Him (Allah Alone) Who has created me and to Whom you shall be returned. " "Shall I take besides Him aliha (gods), if the Most Beneficent (Allah) intends me any harm, their intercession will be of no use for me whatsoever, nor can they save me? " "Then verily, I should be in plain error." "Verily! I have believed in your Lord, so listen to me!" It was said (to him when the disbelievers killed him): "Enter Paradise." He said: "Would that my people knew! "That my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the honoured ones!"(36:22-27).

Laziness isn't an excuse for not praying. I can't see how one can just not pray out of laziness, and i'm talking about the fard prayer and not nawafil, although one shouldn't be too lazy to not pray nawafil either. There must be an underlying reason for not praying. It may be that the person feels they won't be punished for not praying. Or they may not have enough belief in the aakhira, belief like as if you could see Hell with your eyes, and feel the hardness of the Day of Judgment? Because if one had such a belief then i doubt they would feel too lazy to pray. Allah says in the Holy Quran in Surah 102:

Surah 102 - Al Takathur THE PILING UP
102.001 The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),
102.002 Until ye visit the graves.
102.003 But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).
102.004 Again, ye soon shall know!
102.005 Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)
102.006 Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!
102.007 Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!
102.008 Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).

If people had the belief in hell as if they could see it right now, then they would never be too lazy for praying.

Also, in Surah 68, verses 42 - 44 it says:

42: The Day that the Shin shall be laid bare, and they shall be summoned to bow in adoration, but they shall not be able,-
43: Their eyes will be cast down,- ignominy will cover them; seeing that they had been summoned aforetime to bow in adoration, while they were whole, (and had refused).
44: Then leave Me alone with such as reject this Message: by degrees shall We punish them from directions they perceive not.


So one should remember that not praying in this world will cause a disgrace in the next. Does anyone want that?

format_quote Originally Posted by muhaba

Laziness isn't an excuse for not praying.

I wholeheartedly agree with that.. One should seek refuge from laziness, I find it along with lying to be two of the most abhorrent traits!

format_quote Originally Posted by distressed

Salaam

Its not as simple as that, if a muslim doesnt pray cos he doesnt belive its necessary, or not part of islam is known as a kaafir, but one who doesnt pray out of laziness...isnt, thats the way i see, it, and have been told. I dont pray, and i would be highly offended, if some1 called me a kaafir, i dont blame your friend. no1 has the right to call any1 a kaafir.

doesnt a muslim calling another person a kaafir, get taken out of the fold of islam themselves ? not sure if theres any truth on that.

Wa'alaikum Asalaam

My intent was not to call him a kaafir, and out of my own ignorance I attributed not praying to disbelief. My intent was to advise him and remind him the importance of salaah, and I did it in an awful way, I recognize this because if I were in his shoes I would feel the same.

When you care about the well being of a person and you try to advise them, even if it comes out wrong, it does not mean you're belittling them. You just would like the best for them and would like Allah to raise their status. In the end it is their choice, but we have to be a reminder to each other whether through word or practice. My mistake was in the way I said it, but if it were said in a better and correct I do not think it should be or would have been taken into offense inshallah.

Everyone struggles with some aspect of their faith and no one likes to be judged especially if they recognize their own faults and just need some kind of nudge, but if you openly sin you can't blame people for judging you or trying to help you correct your ways because this is something that is inevitable. In the end its between them and Allah but me personally, it's difficult to be around people who neglect their duties as Muslims, and I feel that I may be questioned for it if I do not say something or try to help them as much as I can. If they do not want my help that is ok too, but thats when they should let me know. I have my own faults to fix so I've never judged the iman of anyone that's for Allah solely to judge, but I don't neglect my duties as a fellow muslim either. We don't always know who's ignorant or who is neglectful, but today i have been reminded in how to spread dawah in the kindest and most efficient way possible alhemdulilah whilst searching for something else.

And going through this thread, I don't believe anyone was judging you inshallah, I hope you do not feel attacked because this forum was created in order to help eachother towards guidance not to judge one another, but at the same time we should not sugar coat our religion. Some things are just blunt and straight to the point as they should be, its how Islam remains easy and clear.

fi aman Allah
w'salaam

Assalamu Alaikum

format_quote Originally Posted by Ahmed Waheed

The Quran and Sunnah highlight criteria for Faith and Submission. Its not enough to say "I'm a Muslim (by name), so I don't have to practice or go through any trials". At the same time, practicing Islam isn't limited to Shahadah and Salah (although these are the first two pillars and of great importance). Other than the five pillars, Islam commands kindness, justice and understanding. Rasoolullah is reported to have said that the one who fills his belly while his neighbour starves, isn't one of us. Another hadeeth states the importance of good character (morals).

However with the concern of not praying, isn't it true that despite whatever good you do, if you neglect your prayers, your deeds do not count. Or let's say there was a married couple, both who always pray their prayers, but then all of a sudden the husband stops praying, doesn't his wife's 3iddah begin unless he returns to his prayers? And in the case of two people who do not pray and decide to get married, isn't their marraige void?

^Good questions. i'd like to know the answers too. i read something on the seriousness of not praying, but don't remember much.