Is One Who Abandons the Fara’id Entitled to Be Called a Sunni?

Question

Zayd calls himself a staunch Sunni Muslim, [yet] Zayd neither performs the five daily prayers, nor performs istinja (cleansing after relieving himself), nor keeps the obligatory fasts of the blessed month of Ramadan, and he does not pay zakat either. Despite this, Zayd also calls himself the chief of the community, and the people of the community obey his orders. In this situation, what is the ruling of the Sacred Law concerning Zayd and such a community?

Answer

If this account is correct, then Zayd is one who abandons the fara’id and is a grave sinner. How can one whose entire life is contrary to the Sunna be called a Sunni? He is not entitled to become the chief either; making such a man chief is a great misfortune and deprivation.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.