Is One Sinful for Repeatedly Missing Prayers Due to Forgetfulness or Laziness?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Is one sinful for repeatedly missing prayers due to forgetfulness or laziness?

Answer

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate.

When an Excuse Becomes Repeated

An excuse is typically only considered an excuse when it does not become habitual. For example, if someone shows up late to work one day and explains that their car broke down or that there was traffic, the excuse may be accepted. However, if this happens repeatedly, day after day, it would not be accepted.

If this would not be acceptable to an employer, then what about one’s duty toward their Lord?

Allah is the One who created you, fashioned you, and made your form upright. He has granted you all that you have sought in life. Allah deserves better from His servants.

Worship Is an Honor

Worship is an honor granted by Allah. If a person finds themselves deprived of the honor of worship, there may be something wrong in their state.

One possible cause is wrongdoing. Wrongdoing is not limited to actively harming someone, such as physically hurting them. Rather, wrongdoing involves either transgressing others’ rights or failing to fulfill those rights.

In this regard, wrongdoing may be expressed in two ways: transgressing someone’s rights or falling short in fulfilling them. Because of this, a person may be deprived of the honor of worship due to wrongdoing toward someone around them or through negligence in responsibilities, such as in their work.

The Impact of Sin

Another cause may be sins, particularly grave sins or sins from which a person has not sincerely repented. A person should reflect on their state and examine whether there are matters requiring repentance and rectification.

Taking Oneself to Account

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said,

“The smart person is the one who takes themselves to account and acts for what is coming after this life. And the incapable person is the one who follows their whims and then places false hopes in Allah.” [Tirmidhi]

A believer should strive to take themselves to account and work for the life to come.

Striving for the Hereafter

Allah Most High says,

“Whoever seeks the Hereafter and strives for it with the striving befitting it, while being a believer, their striving will be recognized.” [Quran, 17:19]

The believer, therefore, strives sincerely for the Hereafter and works toward it with determination and accountability.

We ask Allah to make us among those who strive, who take themselves to account, and who honor the worship He has granted us.

And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.