What is the ruling on intentionally and deliberately abandoning the Fajr prayer?

The questioner : The questioner, Hisham, is Egyptian and resides in Riyadh. He says: I heard a fatwa stating that one who intentionally and deliberately abandons the Fajr prayer until its time has passed has committed disbelief (kufr) by this act. What is the ruling on a Muslim who intentionally and deliberately abandons the Fajr prayer daily until the time passes? Is he required to perform the ritual bath (ghusl) and recite the two testimonies of faith, like a disbeliever who wants to enter Islam? We ask for your guidance on this.

The Shaykh : He abandoned the Fajr prayer until its time passed. Because it is not accepted from him, even if he prays it. Because he deliberately delayed it beyond its time. It is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: It is rejected, but he does not commit disbelief (kufr) by it, according to the stronger opinion in my view. Rather, he is a sinner and a transgressor, and he must repent to Allah the Exalted from this act, and he must pray all the prayers in their times. And if we say that he does not commit disbelief, then he is not required to perform the ritual bath (ghusl) nor to recite the two testimonies of faith. May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit the Muslims with you.