One Interpretation of Refusing Prayer

Question

Zayd was told to pray, and he replied, “I have no prayer to pray at all” (lit. “praying is not for me”), and he was never seen praying. What is the ruling on his iman on account of this statement, and is the funeral prayer to be performed over him or not?

Answer

This statement is extremely dangerous. Yet it is possible that its meaning is “I do not know how to pray.” Hence caution should be exercised in declaring him a kafir; and since he was counted among the Muslims, the funeral prayer should also be performed over him: [ar]صَلُّوا عَلَى كُلِّ بَرٍّ وَفَاجِرٍ[/ar] — “Pray [the funeral prayer] over every righteous and every wicked…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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