Which is worse in condition: a Muslim who dies having abandoned prayer in a land of disbelief or in a land of Islam? And is one who dies in a land of disbelief excused after his death due to being raised in a non-Muslim environment where he does not hear the call to prayer?
Abandoning prayer is a major disbelief that expels its perpetrator from the fold of Islam, as indicated by the texts of the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the consensus of the Companions. Therefore, whoever dies having abandoned prayer is not to be washed, nor prayed over, nor buried in the Muslim cemeteries, and his wealth belongs to the Muslim treasury. There is no difference between one who abandons prayer in Muslim lands or in lands of disbelievers. However, one who grew up far from Muslims and to whom the evidence has not reached might be excused due to ignorance, provided that this ignorance cannot be dispelled by asking and seeking knowledge.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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