1080 – Shaqīq ibn ʿAbd Allāh, the Successor (tābiʿī) whose eminence is unanimously acknowledged (may Allah have mercy on him), said: “The Companions of Muhammad ﷺ did not regard the abandonment of any deed as kufr (disbelief) except the prayer.” Related by al-Tirmidhī in the Book of Faith with an authentic chain.

[Explanation]
These ḥadīths serve as a stern warning against neglecting the prayer—the report of Jābir and the report of Buraydah. In Jābir’s narration the Prophet ﷺ said, “Between a man and kufr (disbelief) and shirk (polytheism) stands the abandonment of the prayer,” while Buraydah’s narration states, “The covenant that distinguishes us from them is the prayer; whoever abandons it has committed disbelief.” Both texts clearly indicate that whoever abandons the prayer is a kāfir (disbeliever) who has exited the religion. One who does not pray is more blameworthy than Jews and Christians: if a Jew slaughters an animal, a Muslim may lawfully eat it, and the same applies to a Christian; but if the one who neglects the prayer slaughters, his meat is unlawful. Likewise, if a woman does not pray, it is impermissible for a Muslim to marry her, whereas he may lawfully marry a Christian or Jewish woman. The neglecter of the prayer is not allowed to persist; rather he is told, “Pray, or we shall kill you.” A Jew or Christian, however, is permitted to remain upon his religion—whether under a treaty, a request for safe-conduct, or dhimmī status. This demonstrates that abandoning the prayer is graver than Judaism or Christianity. This matter