Question:I was sick with alcohol addiction, and praise be to Allah, I repent to Allah sincerely. However, I do not pray, I do good deeds, I have not harmed anyone, I seek forgiveness, I pray on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF), and I do other good deeds, but I do not pray. Is all my charitable work, the prayers and supplications that I offer to my Lord shall not be answered and not counted? The reason why I do not pray is that I have made my mind that I shall discipline myself first and then start performing the prayer. Accordingly, Shall all my charitable work, the prayers on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HF), and my service for Ahlulbait (PBUT) in their memorials not be counted?

Answer:In the name of Allah, be advised, my son, that it is reported through the infallible Imams (PBUT) that any good deed, even if it is vlaid, is not accepted without prayer. The one who abandons prayer will be resurrected with the infidels. You, my son, have succeeded in repentance from the major crime - drinking intoxicating alcohol, but you are still at the top of the sin, which is abandoning prayer. For your repentance to be accepted of that major sin and all other good deeds are accepted is to repent of the crime of abandoning the prayer. Allah Almighty says "what puts you in the abyss? they say, “we were not among those who committed to prayer” [مَا سَلَكَكُمْ فِي سَقَرَ , قَالُوا لَمْ نَكُ مِنَ الْمُصَلِّينَ ]. Clearly, this verse shows that whoever is not among the worshipers will be in the depths of Hell on the Day of Resurrection. God is the Guide and Knowing.