A Lot of Shortcomings Through the Years: Am I Still a Muslim?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam
Question: I am at a point of my life where I am trying to determine who I am, what I actually believe, what I want out of life, what is the truth. I have been raised as a muslim but I was very secular I have missed many prayers and fasts. I worried: am I a true muslim or not?
Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,
I pray that you are in the best of health and faith, insha’Allah.
Yes, you are a Muslim.
Neglecting the prayer out of laziness does not take one out of the fold of Islam. Please see: Does Neglecting the Prayer Entail Disbelief?
The entire religion is mercy. Ask Allah to forgive your previous shortcomings, and make a firm resolve to make up the prayers that you missed.
I’d advise taking the following classes: Absolute Essentials of Islam: Beliefs & Worship (STEP) and: Excellence in Faith & Action (from Ghazali’s 40 Foundations of Religion)
If you have any follow up questions, feel free to send them. We’re at your service, insha’Allah.
And see also: Questions Regarding Make-Up Prayers and Make-Up Fasts and: Making up Obligatory Fasts and Prayers and: A Reader on Missed Prayers
And Allah alone gives success.
wassalam,
Tabraze Azam
Checked & Approved by Faraz Rabbani