that Islam remains established; therefore, we do not declare him outside its fold except with certainty. For what is established with certainty can only be removed with certainty. The basic ruling concerning this particular individual is that he is a Muslim, so we do not remove him from the Islam that is certain except on the basis of evidence that establishes his disbelief with certainty.

Some scholars said that one who abandons it out of laziness does not become a disbeliever (1).

Imam Ahmad’s view—that one who abandons the prayer out of laziness becomes a disbeliever—is the stronger opinion. The proofs for it are found in the Book of Allah, the sunnah of the Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, the statements of the righteous predecessors, and sound reasoning.

As for the Book of Allah, He says concerning the polytheists: “But if they repent, establish prayer, and give zakah, then they are your brothers in religion” [al-Tawbah: 11]. Thus, Allah stipulated three conditions for the establishment of brotherhood in religion: