Are All My Deeds Void for Deliberately Missing Prayers?

Answered by Shaykh Yusuf Weltch

Question: Does flaky skin prevent the validity of ghusl if it prevents water from reaching the live skin underneath? Are all my deeds void for deliberately missing Asr prayer?

Answer: In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

The flaky skin which you described does not affect your ghusl. This would coincide for the ruling mentioned by Imam al-Haskafi in al-Durr al-Mukhtar where he says, “Likewise, if on the limbs of his ablution there is a wound covered with a thin layer of skin, then he performs ablution and passes water over it, thereafter he removes the excess layer of skin, he is not required to wash that which is beneath it.” [al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

Losing One’s Deeds for Missing Asr Prayer

Imam Ahmad narrates on the authority of Buraidah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace said, “Whoever leaves the Asr prayer, his deeds are rendered void.” [Ahmad] The commentators of this narration understood it in various ways.

Al-Mulhib says, “Its’ meaning is whoever leaves it out of neglect and a lack of importance for the virtue of its time, while being able to perform it, then he will not attain the reward of those who prayed it in its proper time…” The commentator here limits the nullification of deeds to that specific Asr prayer. [Sharh al-Bukhari; Ibn Batal]

Dealing with Waswasa

It is important to keep in mind that Allah has not put any of us in undue hardship in Islam. Allah, Most High says, “And Allah has not put upon you, in the religion, any undue hardship.” [Qur’an; 22:78]

Anything that causes great difficulty, discomfort, or hardship is a sign that one is burdening themselves with that which Allah has not made necessary. I would advise that you seek Islamic knowledge from credible scholars. This is the first step to curing your waswasa and other confusion. Know that true caution is only based on knowledge.

May Allah ease all your affairs
Allahu A‘ alam

[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Yusuf Weltch is a graduate from Tarim; a student of Habib Umar and other luminaries; and authorized teachers of the Qur’an and the Islamic sciences.