scholars have maintained that whoever abandons the afternoon prayer has entered into disbelief, for nothing nullifies one’s deeds except apostasy. Allah, exalted is He, says: “Had they associated others with Him, all they used to do would have been rendered void” (Qur’an 6:88). He also says: “Whoever among you turns back from his religion and dies as a disbeliever—their deeds become worthless in this world and the Hereafter; those are the people of the Fire, abiding therein forever” (Qur’an 2:217).

Accordingly, some jurists declare: “Specifically with regard to the afternoon prayer, whoever leaves it has disbelieved; and, in fact, whoever neglects any of the obligatory prayers altogether has disbelieved.” This opinion is not far from correct, because deeds are rendered null only by disbelief and apostasy.

In this lies unmistakable evidence of the immense standing of the afternoon prayer. Hence Allah singled it out for special mention, saying: “Guard the prayers, and the middle prayer”—that is, the afternoon prayer—“and stand before Allah in devout obedience” (Qur’an 2:238).