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What are the consequences of being negligent and abandoning prayer, and what is the ruling on one who neglects ritual bathing after sexual defilement (ghusl al-janabah), and is it permissible for a wife to refuse her husband in bed because he neglects prayer and is in a state of ritual impurity (janabah)?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Abandoning the obligatory prayers is one of the greatest abominations. Whoever abandons them out of denial is an apostate, outside the fold of Islam. Some scholars have included in this ruling those who abandon them out of laziness. If the husband is negligent in prayer, it is not surprising that he neglects the ghusl of janabah. The danger of this must be explained to the husband, and effort must be made to help him repent and maintain his prayers. As for abandoning his bed due to his disobedience, the majority of scholars hold that it is impermissible, though some scholars permit it. If the husband does not repent and maintain his prayers, it is more appropriate for the wife to seek khul' from him, as it is recommended for a woman to seek khul' from her husband if he neglects the rights of Allah the Almighty.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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