The Implication of the Poet's Statement Regarding the Disbelief of the One Who Abandons Prayer

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, a questioner says: In the words of the poet (may Allah have mercy on him), “Do not declare the people of prayer to be disbelievers, even if they disobey,” is there an indication that, in his view, the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever?

Answer:
Yes, indeed. The one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. If he denies its obligation, he is a disbeliever by the consensus of the Muslims, because some people say, "We love what is not prayer; a person is a Muslim even if he does not pray." This is disbelief by consensus. However, if he acknowledges its obligation but abandons it out of laziness, there is a difference of opinion on this. The majority hold that he does not commit major disbelief, but rather commits minor disbelief. A group of distinguished scholars held that he commits the kind of disbelief that expels one from Paradise. Among them are Imam Ahmad, Ishaq ibn al-Rahawayh, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, and Ibn al-Qayyim. Many distinguished scholars hold this view because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: between the servant and disbelief. When "disbelief" is used with the definite article, it refers to major disbelief; when it is used without the article, it refers to minor disbelief, as in his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): meaning the disbelief of the partners.

The presenter:
May Allah reward you