Is my fast valid if I do not pray?

Detailed answer

First, your fasting is not pointless, and you should not stop. According to most scholars, the fast of a Muslim who neglects prayer out of laziness, while still believing prayer is obligatory, is valid: they do not have to repeat it. However, leaving the prayer is one of the most serious sins in Islam, and it greatly reduces the benefit and reward of fasting.

What the Quran and Sunnah say

Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and the first deed a person will be asked about on the Day of Judgement. The Quran warns: "So woe to those who pray, who are heedless of their prayer" (Al-Ma'un 107:4–5). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that the covenant between the believers and others is the prayer, and whoever abandons it has disbelieved (Tirmidhi and Nasa'i).

Because of hadith like this, some scholars hold that a person who completely abandons prayer is no longer Muslim and their fast is not accepted; if you are unsure, ask a trusted local scholar.

Why the two go together

The aim of fasting is taqwa, being mindful of Allah (Al-Baqarah 2:183). It makes little sense to leave food for Allah's sake while leaving the prayer He made obligatory five times a day. Fasting and prayer support each other, and together they bring the full reward of Ramadan.

In practice: start now

• Keep fasting: do not let guilt push you to give up the good you are already doing.
• Begin praying today: Ramadan is the easiest time to start, when mosques are full and hearts are soft.
• Go step by step: if five prayers feel hard, start with the ones you can manage and add more until you pray them all.
• Repent sincerely: Allah forgives those who turn back to Him, whatever the past.

Women who are menstruating do not pray or fast, so this question does not apply to them on those days.

Find the times for your city on our prayer times page, and read about making up missed prayers and the five pillars of Islam.