Thus, in this world, the disbeliever is held to a stricter account than the believer, because he is called to account for food, drink, clothing, and every blessing.

As for the rational evidence that the disbeliever will be punished in the Hereafter for the blessings of Allah that he enjoyed: reason dictates that when someone has shown you kindness, you should respond by complying with and obeying him when he commands you. Reason also recognizes that among the ugliest of deeds is to oppose one who has shown you kindness by arrogantly refusing to obey him and by denying what he tells you. Hence Allah, glorified and exalted is He, says in the sacred hadith: “The son of Adam has denied Me, though he had no right to do so; and he has insulted Me, though he had no right to do so.” (1) Since he had no right to do this, it shows that it is among the ugliest of deeds for him to enjoy Allah’s blessings and then deny this favor by arrogantly refusing obedience and rejecting the revealed report.

A Legally Responsible Person

His statement: “A legally responsible person.” In linguistic usage, legal responsibility means imposing something involving hardship. In the Sacred Law, however, this is not so, for the Sacred Law contains no hardship. Allah Most High says:

“Allah does not burden any soul beyond its capacity.” [Quran 2:286]

In the Sacred Law, it means imposing the requirements of the divine address.

Legal responsibility entails two qualities: attaining puberty and possessing sound reason. Thus, a legally responsible person is one who has reached puberty and is of sound mind. Prayer is not obligatory upon one who has not reached puberty or one who is not of sound mind, on the basis of textual and rational evidence.

As for the textual evidence, it is the saying of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him: “The pen has been lifted from three: from the insane person