Thus, every proof cited by those who insist that the one who abandons the prayer is never deemed a disbeliever falls into one of these five categories.

Accordingly—and without a shadow of doubt, in my view—the person who abandons the prayer is a disbeliever whose disbelief expels him from the religion. In fact, he is more culpable in unbelief than the Jews and Christians, for the Jews and Christians are acknowledged as remaining upon their own religions, whereas this person is not acknowledged at all; he is an apostate. He is summoned to repent—if he does so, well and good; if he refuses, he is to be executed.

189 – Sixth ḥadīth: On the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Umm al-Ḥakam Zaynab bint Jahsh—may Allah be pleased with her—that the Prophet ﷺ entered upon her in a state of alarm, saying: “There is no god but Allah! Woe to the Arabs from an evil that has drawn near. Today a gap the size of this has been opened in the barrier of Gog and Magog,” and he circled his thumb and the finger next to it. I said, “O Messenger of Allah, shall we perish while righteous people are still among us?” He replied, “Yes—when wickedness becomes widespread.” Agreed upon.

[Explanation]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—relates from the Mother of the Believers Zaynab bint Jahsh that the Prophet ﷺ, his face reddened, entered saying: “There is no god but Allah; woe to the Arabs from an evil that has drawn near.” He came in this condition, his complexion changed, his face flushed, repeatedly declaring “There is no god but Allah” to affirm and reinforce monotheism, for monotheism is the foundation upon which the entire Sacred Law is built. Allah the Exalted says: “I did not create jinn and humankind except that they should worship Me” (al-Dhāriyāt 51:56). And He, the Most High, says: “And We did not send