The Ruling on Delaying the Fajr Prayer Beyond Its Time

Question:
If a person misses the Fajr prayer not intentionally, but because he is careful to wake up for his official work, is he considered a disbeliever?

Answer:
This is a matter of great danger. There is no such thing as delaying the prayer beyond its time and continuing in that state; this is a severe danger. Sleep is not an excuse if it has become a habit. The excuse is sleep that is not the person's habit, but rather when he is intending to get up and sleep overcomes him on some nights. This is well known; it happened to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) on some of his journeys. As for the one who makes it a habit to sleep through the Fajr prayer, making this his habit, that is not permissible. Some scholars hold that if one intentionally delays the prayer beyond its time, he commits disbelief. Since this is the opinion of some scholars, it indicates that the matter is severe. However, the majority hold that he does not commit disbelief, but he commits a great sin, which is intentionally delaying the prayer beyond its time. Thus, he commits a great sin.
Allah the Exalted said: . By "neglecting it" here, it is meant delaying it beyond its time, because whoever delays it beyond its time has neglected it. Similarly, in Allah’s saying: . This means that they delay it beyond its time. Therefore, He called them "those who pray," for they do pray, but they pray in a manner other than what is prescribed. So He warned them with wail. The danger in this is severe, even if it does not reach the level of disbelief, for he is subject to a severe warning, refuge with Allah. For Allah the Exalted says: . It is fixed at a specific time, and it is not permissible to delay it beyond that. A person is a servant of Allah; he is not a servant of his own self and desires. Does he pray according to his desires?
Does he act according to his desires and wishes? No, he is a commanded servant who must obey the command of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), who created him and commanded him to pray at its time in congregation. This is the command of Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). You are a servant, and it is obligatory upon you to execute it. If you do not execute it, then wail and severe warning are upon you. We ask Allah for well-being and His success.