Don't say to a Muslim: "You are hypocrite" Fatwa No: 86428
- Fatwa Date:4-10-2003
Can we say that a Muslim who does not pray al-Fajr is hypocrite?
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions. It is reported in a sound narration that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) considered missing al-Fajr prayer as one of the characteristics of hypocrites. al-Bukhari and Muslim reported from Abu Hurairah that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said: There is no prayer more difficult for hypocrites (to perform) than al-Fajr and al-Isha. But had they known what is in them (the great reward of these prayers) they would have come to them (these two prayers) even crawling (if they cannot walk). However, this does not necessarily imply that anyone who misses to perform Fajr becomes hypocrite, and is described as such. In fact, describing a Muslim with disbelief or hypocrisy is a very dangerous matter. Ahmad , Abu Dawood , Ibn Hibban and al-Hakim reported in a sound Hadith according to al-Hakim that The wife of Safwan Ibn al-Mu'attal complained to the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) about her husband who would not pray al-Fajr until after the sun rises. Safwan said: 'Our family members are known to seldom wake up until after the sun rises.' Thereupon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said to Safwan : "As soon as you get up, pray." Allah knows best.