Ibn Bazz: Ruling on staying with someone who abandons Salah

Ruling on staying with someone who abandons Salah 

Q: Once I stayed with two roommates at a hospital for three days. During this period, I used to offer Salah (Prayer) regularly, which they did not do. I remained silent about the issue. Am I sinful for not advising them to offer Salah? If so, what is the Kaffarah (expiation)? 

A: You should have advised them and disapproved of their negligence of Salah. This is because Allah(GlorifiedbeHe)says: Letthereariseoutofyouagroupofpeopleinvitingtoallthatisgood(Islâm),enjoiningAl­ M a‘ rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al­Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. There are other Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) to that effect. The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: Whoever among you sees something abominable should rectify it with his hand; and if he has not strength enough to do it, then he should do it with his tongue; and if he has not strength enough to do it, (even) then he should (abhor it) from his heart, and that is the least of Faith." (Related by Muslim in his Sahih (authentic) Book of Hadith)Since you did not advise them, you are duty bound to make sincere Tawbah (repentance) to Allah (Exalted be He) for this sin. You have to regret having failed to advise them and you have to be determined not to return to this, out of showing sincere devotion to Allah (Exalted be He) while hoping to attain His reward and fearing to be overtaken by His punishment. Whoever repents of their sins, Allah will accept their repentance. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 260)