7/3/2023
Question:
May the peace, blessings and mercy of Allah Almighty be upon you beloved Sheikh.
May Allah Almighty grant you a long life and bless you with good health.
Dear Sheikh, my question is: –
If a person following the methodology of the great Imam Abu Hanafi was to intentionally omit one of Salah’s duties, does that spoil his Salah? Or is doing a prostration of forgetfulness enough in his case, just like one does when he forgets?
And of course, the difference between a pillar and a duty of Salah in the Hanafi school of thought is no secret, especially to your knowledge, honorable Sheikh.
Name: Enquirer
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If one forgetfully omits a duty of Salah, then he should do the prostration of forgetfulness. If he doesn’t, his Salah is considered incomplete. As for a person who intentionally leaves it out, then he must repeat the Salah. This is, like you asked, the answer according to the Hanafi school of thought.
Obligation (Fardh) and Duty (Wajib) are distinct in difference according to the scholars of the Hanafi School of thought, for what is proven in conclusive evidence in the Holy Book, in successively narrated Sunnah, and by consensus is called an obligation (Fardh).
And what was proven by presumptive evidence such as isolated reports and analogical deduction is called a duty (Wajib). Usul Al-Sarkhsi (1/110).
And they have two opinions regarding this matter: –
First: – It is sufficient for him to perform the forgetfulness prostration. If he doesn’t, he is required to repeat his Salah whether he left it out intentionally or forgetfully.
Al-Imam Ibn Abidin – may Allah Almighty have mercy on him – said: –
(And it has duties (the Salah) that does not spoil it if it is omitted, and in which it is mandatory to repeat if the prostration of forgetfulness is not performed whether one omits them forgetfully or intentionally. and if he does not, then he is considered Fasiq (rebellious)) Al-Durr al-Mukhtar wa Hashiyat Ibn Abidin (Radd al-Muhtar) (1/456).
Second: – He performs the forgetfulness prostration if he left the duty forgetfully. If he doesn’t, his Salah is incomplete. However, if it was done purposely, then he is required to repeat his Salah and a prostration of forgetfulness does not atone for it.
Al-Imam Al-Sharnibali – may Allah Almighty have mercy on him – said: –
(…And duties were imposed to complement the obligations, and the Sunan to complement the duties, and Adab to complement the Sunnah and with that each one of them is made supplementary. The rule for a duty (Wajib) is that a person is deserving of punishment if he intentionally omits it, and a person is not perceived a Kafir (disbeliever) if he denies it’s necessity, and performing it is rewarded, and a prostration of forgetfulness is a must for a person who forgets to perform it, and he is to repeat the Salah when he purposely omits it, and that the obligatory Salah is considered incomplete if a person does not perform said prostration nor does he repeat it (the Salah)). Maraqi Al-Falah page 93.
And Allah blessed be His name knows best.
And peace and prayers be upon the Master of prophets our Master Muhammad and his honorable, God-fearing family and companions.