Is the prayer of an unbeliever sufficient to establish his conversion to Islam?
General Chapter
Al-Mughni
Book of the Apostate
Primary text
The prayer of an unbeliever establishes his Islam, regardless of whether he performed it in the Abode of War (Dar al-Harb) or the Abode of Islam, whether in congregation or individually. This applies whether the person is an original unbeliever or an apostate. The evidence is that the prayer is a fundamental pillar exclusive to Islam, functioning like the declaration of faith (Shahadatayn) to establish Islam. The established proof for the others is that whatever action establishes Islam in the Abode of War must establish it in the Abode of Islam, such as the Shahadatayn. The possibility of hypocrisy or Taqiyyah (dissimulation) is negated by the very performance of the prayer, just as it is negated by the Shahadatayn.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i holds that if the prayer is performed in the Abode of War, his Islam is established, but if it is performed in the Abode of Islam, his Islam is not established because it is possible that he prayed out of ostentation or Taqiyyah.