The scholars also disputed the ruling on a person who leaves the prayer out of heedlessness while still admitting that it is obligatory. The soundest opinion is that such a person falls into disbelief, because the Prophet ﷺ said, “Between a servant and disbelief stands the prayer,” and he said, “The covenant that separates us from them is the prayer; whoever abandons it has disbelieved.” Allah the Exalted likewise says, “What led you into Saqar? They will answer, ‘We were not among those who prayed’” (Q. 74:42–43). He also says, “But if they repent, establish the prayer, and give the zakah, then they are your brothers in faith” (Q. 9:11). This noble verse indicates that whoever does not establish the prayer is not counted among our brothers in religion; it does not say, “and acknowledge the obligation of prayer,” but rather, “and establish the prayer.” The Prophet ﷺ further declared, “Islam is built upon five: bearing witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and establishing the prayer …,” and he did not say, “and acknowledging the obligation of the prayer,” but “and establishing the prayer.”

Today laxity and laziness regarding the prayer have become widespread, and the matter is extremely serious. Anyone who neglects the prayer must repent to Allah and rescue himself from the Fire, for the prayer is the pillar of Islam and it protects against indecency and wrongdoing.