Question:
Is the prayer of a person valid if he consumed haram matters everyday such as if he takes drugs?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
This issue is stated by fuqaha’ as infikak al-jihah (separation of division). In this issue, if the salah (prayer) performed fulfils its valid requisites and conditions, then it is valid and it is unnecessary to be repeated. Meanwhile, if it is considered on whether the salah is accepted by Allah SWT or not, then it falls under the knowledge of Allah of which no one knows. However, every person who is a Muslim should contemplate on the statement of Allah SWT, where He said:
إِنَّمَا يَتَقَبَّلُ اللَّهُ مِنَ الْمُتَّقِينَ
“Indeed, Allah only accepts from the righteous [who fear Him].”
Surah al-Maidah (27)
Imam Ibn Kathir Rahimahullah when commenting on this verse states: (Indeed, Allah SWT only accepts the deeds) of those who are righteous towards Allah SWT when he performs the worship. See Tafsir al-Quran al-Azhim, Ibn Kathir (3/85).
According to the above verse, it clearly shows us that Allah SWT only accepts from the people of taqwa. Taqwa encompasses the action of avoiding syirk and sins and obeying all the commandments of Allah SWT. The same is stated in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ طَيِّبٌ لاَ يَقْبَلُ إِلاَّ طَيِّبًا
“Allah the Almighty is Good and accepts only that which is good.”
Sahih Muslim (1015)
Imam Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali Rahimahullah when commenting on this hadith said: What is meant by the hadith is: Indeed, Allah SWT is pure from any inadequacy and defects. He also stated the general meaning of this hadith as: Indeed, Allah SWT does not accept any worship or good deed that is impure from any damage such as the feelings of riya’ and ‘ujub. Allah SWT also rejects any wealth unless if it is clean and pure. Refer al-Jami’ Al-‘Ulum wa Al-Hikam, Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (1/258).
Conclusion
In general, we state that the salah performed that fulfils the requisites and valid conditions is valid and fulfils the zimmah (responsibility) of a person. However, if the person that prayed still continues committing haram matters such as taking drugs and others, it means the salah does not benefit him. Allah SWT states:
إنَّ الصَّلاَةَ تَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنْكَرِ
“Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing,”
Surah al-Ankabuut (45)
The same is stated in an athar from Abdullah bin Mas’ud RA, where he said:
مَنْ لَمْ تَنْهَهُ صَلَاتُهُ عَنِ الفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنْكَرِ لَمْ يَزْدَدْ مِنَ اللهِ إِلَّا بُعْدًا
“Whoever whose prayer does not prevent him from transgressions and wrongdoings, he is not increased in his status with Allah but he become further away.”
We pray that Allah SWT accepts all our good deeds and bless us with salah which prevent us from immorality and wrongdoing. Amin.