the speech of Allah, Glorious and Exalted, or in the speech of His Messenger—ever—and such a claim is not valid. For when all the obligatory elements of an act have been fulfilled, how can it properly be denied?

Moreover, if this were permissible, it would be permissible to deny the prayers of nearly everyone, past and present, for the complete fulfillment of all recommended elements is exceedingly rare.

Accordingly, whenever an act is denied in the Book or the Sunnah, it is only because one of its obligatory elements is absent. Allah Most High says: “But no, by your Lord, they will not believe until they make you judge concerning the disputes that arise among them, then find within themselves no discomfort over your judgment and submit completely” [al-Nisā: 65] [al-Nisā]. Allah Most High also says: “They say, ‘We believe in Allah and in the Messenger, and we obey,’ but then a group of them turns away after that; those are not believers” [al-Nūr: 47] [al-Nūr]. Allah Most High also says: “The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and then entertain no doubt” [al-Hujurāt: 15] [al-Hujurāt: 15]—to the end of the verse. And He says: “The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger and who, when they are with him on a matter requiring their collective presence, do not leave until they have sought his permission” [al-Nūr: 62] [al-Nūr: 62]—to the end of the verse. There are many similar examples.

This also includes the Prophet’s statements, peace and blessings be upon him: “There is no faith for one who is not trustworthy,” “There is no prayer without the Opening of the Book,” and “There is no prayer without ablution.”