Fathwa - Marriage and Engagement, - The Ruling on Giving a Daughter in Marriage to One Who Does Not Pray

Question:
One of my kin has proposed to my daughter and I am under an obligation
to him, (for example, for having lent him money, or shown some
kindnessto him etc.) but he is addicted to alcohol and he keeps
company with bad people and prays little, or does not pray atall. He
is also addicted to watching videos and television and other
time-wasting devices and I am in difficulty regarding him. I request
clarification of the rulingof Islam in the matter.
Answer:
If the person proposing to your daughter is as you have described him,
then it is not permissiblefor you to give her in marriage to him,
because she is a trust in your hands, so it is incumbent for you to
choose for her the most righteous man in his religion and his
character.
It is not permissible for aperson who does not pray to be married to a
Muslim woman who does pray, since he is nota suitable match for her,
because abandoning theprayer is an act of major disbelief, according
to the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi was salam:
'Between a man and polytheism and disbelief is the abandonment of
prayer.' (muslim no.82)
And the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu alayhi was salam:
'The covenant between us and them is prayer; whoever abandons it has
committed an act of disbelief.' (At-tirmithi no.2621)
Narrated by Imam Ahmad and the compilers of the Sunan, with an
authentic chain of narrators.
There are many other evidences in the Book (of Allaah) and the Sunnah
which prove the disbelief of one who abandons the prayer, even if he
does not reject its obligation, according to the most correct of two
opinions held by the scholars. However, if he rejects its obligation
or mocked it, then he is guilty of major disbelief according to the
consensus of the Muslims.
As for the one who drinks alcohol but prays, he is not guilty of
disbelief by doing this, as long as he does not claim that it is
permissible, but he has committed a major sin and he has gone astray
thereby. Therefore, it is lawful for you not to give her in marriage
to him, even if he prays, due to his sin and because he might lead his
wife and children to this great crime.
We ask Allaah to improve the situation of the Muslims and guide them
to His Straight Path, and to preserve us and them from obeying vain
desires and Satan, for verily, He is Most Generous, Most Noble. - -
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