Answer
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
A spouse who stops praying out of weakness or negligence, while still believing prayer is obligatory, remains a Muslim and the marriage remains valid. Islam encourages patient advice, sincere duʿaʾ, and compassionate guidance to help the spouse return to regular prayer.
Responding to your question, Sheikh Ahmad Kutty, a senior lecturer and an Islamic scholar at the Islamic Institute of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, states:
Prayer is not an insignificant part of Islam—instead, it is a critical pillar, second only to recognizing the Oneness of Allah. It is the first act a person will be questioned about, and it is the daily link between a believer and Allah.
When prayer is neglected, it is not just a missed routine; it is a serious breach that places one’s spiritual state—and ultimately one’s salvation—at risk.
Your wife needs to understand the weight of this. This is not a minor lapse, but a grave matter that deserves urgent attention and sincere reflection.
It is important to distinguish between denial and neglect. If a person abandons prayer out of rejection—denying its obligation—that is a far more serious issue. But if it is out of weakness or laziness, then she remains a Muslim, even though she is committing a major sin.
In that case, your marriage remains valid. You are not required to end it. Rather, your role becomes one of wise, patient guidance.
Encourage her to pray, but do so with care and consistency. Speak to her about the importance of prayer, not only as an obligation, but as a source of peace, strength, and meaning. Remind her gently, without harshness or constant confrontation. Sometimes a calm word, a shared moment, or even your own steady example can have a deeper impact than repeated pressure.
Make Du`a for her. Hearts are ultimately in Allah’s hands. And remain patient—change in matters of faith often takes time.
Do not belittle the issue. Recognize the seriousness of it, both in your own heart and in how you communicate it. Balance concern with compassion, firmness with wisdom.
Your goal is not to win an argument, but to help her reconnect with Allah—before neglect becomes a habit that is harder to break.
👉 Read also:
- Importance of Prayer in Islam
- Can a Muslim Abandon Prayer?
- Does the Quran Say Pray 5 Times a Day?
- Who Must Pray in Islam?
Almighty Allah knows best.