Answer: It is not permissible to remain with a woman of this nature—one who ridicules the prayer, laughs at those who command it, and abandons it altogether. Such a woman is a disbeliever, and you may not stay with her. Allah, the Exalted, says: “Do not hold fast to the marriage bonds of disbelieving women” (al-Mumtahanah 60:10), and He also says: “Do not marry polytheist women until they believe; a believing slave-girl is better than a polytheist woman, even though she pleases you” (al-Baqarah 2:221). So long as she refuses to pray and mocks the prayer and those who enjoin it, she is deemed a disbeliever, and it is unlawful for you to remain with her.

As for your claim that remarriage is difficult, Allah makes ease for whoever seeks good; whoever leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better.

In conclusion, it is impermissible to stay with her in this state unless she repents to Allah and becomes diligent in the prayer. Such a woman may not remain the wife of a Muslim, and it is unlawful for a Muslim to keep her.

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Remaining with a husband who does not pray

Question: A young Arab Muslim woman married a man she did not previously know. He was working in Germany and had asked her father that she live with him, and she agreed. After the marriage was concluded and she travelled with him to Germany, she discovered during their life together that he neither prays nor fasts; in fact, he forced her to cook food for him during the daytime in Ramadan, in addition to committing other sinful acts. She tried to reform him but to no avail, so she asked him for a divorce and obtained it. Was she justified in requesting a divorce from this marriage? She subsequently went to Belgium with some former neighbours and is now working there to support herself.