𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 (367)

My Husband Doesn't Pray And Drinks Alcohol Question: May Allāh reward you with goodness. A woman is asking: "My husband sometimes prays and sometimes abandons the prayer, and he frequently drinks alcohol. I have spoken to him, but he remains as he is. What should I do? May Allāh reward you. Sheikh Sulayman Ar-Ruhaili hafidahullah: By Allāh, there is no good in one who abandons the prayer. The woman must strive diligently in advising him. If he accepts the advice, then all praise is due to Allāh. If he does not, she should return to her family and remain with them. This is not considered disobedience (nushūz) on her part; rather, it is a course of action that is legislated in such situations. She should tell him: “I will not return to your home until you commit to consistently observing the prayer and not abandoning it. I have the right to leave your house if you stop praying.” If he responds positively, then praise be to Allāh. If not, she must do all she can to obtain a divorce from him, even if it means taking the matter to the courts—whether he occasionally prays and occasionally abandons it, or whether he does not pray at all. There is no good in someone who is not consistent in their prayer. The woman should follow the steps mentioned in order. First, she should withhold from intimacy with him in his home and advise him, saying: “I will not allow you access to me so long as you do not pray.” If he starts praying, then praise be to Allāh. If he refuses, she should go to her family and say: “I will not return to you until you pray and make a public commitment in front of trustworthy men to maintain your prayers.” If she makes him say in front of these men: “If you abandon the prayer, I am divorced,” that would be good. If he complies, then she may return to him. If he still does not respond, then she should pursue all lawful means to obtain a divorce, to the best of her ability.