He was asked:

What is to be done about someone who is ordered to pray but refuses? If someone invokes the words, “I have been commanded to fight the people until they say, ‘There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,’” as an excuse, does this excuse him from punishment for abandoning prayer, or not? What must rulers and those in authority do regarding those under their authority who abandon prayer? Are their efforts in this regard among the greatest forms of jihad and the foremost avenues of righteousness?

He answered:

Praise be to Allah. Whoever refuses to perform the obligatory prayers deserves severe punishment, by agreement of the leading Muslim scholars. Indeed, according to the majority of the Muslim community, including Mālik, al-Shāfiʿī, Ahmad and others, he must be called upon to repent and, if he does not repent, be executed. Indeed, one who abandons prayer is worse than a thief, a fornicator, a wine-drinker or one who consumes hashish.

Everyone in a position of authority must command those who obey him to pray, even children who have not yet reached puberty. The Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said:

“Command them to pray at seven, beat them for neglecting it at ten, and have them sleep in separate beds.”