His wife does not pray regularly

I am a religiously-committed young man. I married a woman about six years ago and I have a son and daughter from her. Before marriage, she was described to me as religiously-committed, then after that I found out that she does not pray regularly and when I ask her whether she prayed or not, she tells me that she prayed, but I am certain that sometimes she did not pray (i.e., I checked on her between prayers). I have offered her a great deal of advice and I have spoken to her frankly on some occasions and by means of hints on others. What I cannot do is forsake her in her bed, because I cannot do without marital relations. I divorced her once, then I took her back because I feared for our children if the family broke up. I have prayed to Allaah for her a great deal, asking Him to guide her. What should I do with her? Should I put up with her (knowing that I do not find fault with her for anything except this)? If I put up with her, what should I do? Will I be sinning if I am intimate with her? Or what should I do?.

Praise be to Allah.

What the husband should do is enjoin good upon his wife and forbid her to do that which is evil. He should call her to do good and warn her against evil, thus fulfilling the responsibility that Allaah has given him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones”

[al-Tahreem 66:6]

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “A man is the shepherd of his household and is responsible for his flock.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (893) and Muslim (182).

One of the greatest of good deeds is performing prayer on time as enjoined by Allaah, and one of the greatest of bad deeds is being careless and negligent about that, by not praying at all, or by not praying on time. Allaah criticized the one who does that, as He says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up As‑Salaah (the prayers) [i.e. made their Salaah (prayers) to be lost, either by not offering them or by not offering them perfectly or by not offering them in their proper fixed times] and have followed lusts. So they will be thrown in Hell”

[Maryam 19:59].

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Between a man and shirk and kufr there stands his giving up prayer.” Narrated by Muslim (82).

And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The one who does not pray ‘Asr, his good deeds are fruitless.” Narrated by al-Bukhaari (553).

If your wife does not pray at all, then there are ahaadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) which show that not praying at all is kufr, and it is not permissible for you to keep her because she is not a Muslim. In that case you have to tell her that her insisting on not praying means that she is not your wife, so she must either repent and start to pray regularly, or else you must leave her.

But if she prays sometimes and not at others – which seems to be the case from your question – then that does not put her beyond the pale of Islam, but you have to advise her and look for the causes of her shortcoming so that they can be dealt with. But that should be done in a kind and gentle manner. So explain to her the importance of prayer, and the sin involved in falling short with regard to it. Strive to strengthen her faith and encourage her to do good deeds and acts of worship. Help her to make friends with some righteous women and supply her with some useful books and tapes that will encourage her to do good, and always ask her about her prayers.

We ask Allaah to guide you both to that which is good.

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