The Ruling on One Who Abandons Prayer or Delays It Beyond Its Time

The questioner:
The questioner: Allah the Exalted said: Does this verse indicate that the one who abandons prayer is a polytheist? And what is the authenticity of the fatwa attributed to Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him), in which he says that the one who abandons prayer or delays it past its time because he was watching television becomes a polytheist? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.

The Shaykh:
Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) says: "Who are those who divided their religion?" The intended meaning of this warning against division in religion is that every sect inclines toward a madhhab (school of jurisprudence) other than what Allah has prescribed for His servants. Therefore, it is obligatory to unite on what Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) has prescribed, and to adhere to His Shari'ah, all of the Ummah (the Muslim community), Arabs and non-Arabs alike. They must adhere to the Shari'ah, unite upon it, and not divide as the polytheists divided. There is no doubt that abandoning prayer is a type of division. If one abandons prayer, he has divided the community of Muslims; he is in one part, and they are in another. For this reason, a group of scholars of knowledge said, and this is what is narrated from the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them and grant them satisfaction), that he is a disbeliever. We ask Allah for safety. It is well known from the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. Abdullah ibn Shaqiq al-Hadrami (may Allah have mercy on him) said: "The Companions did not consider anything to be disbelief for abandoning it except prayer." And it is established from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that he said: , and he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Between a man and , so abandoning it, according to the most precise scholars of knowledge, is major shirk (associating partners with Allah). We ask Allah for safety.
As for our Shaykh, Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibrahim (may Allah have mercy on him), I do not recall the specific fatwa mentioned. If one delays it past its time intentionally until the time has gone, such as delaying Fajr until the sun rises, or delaying 'Asr until the sun sets, or delaying 'Isha' until Fajr appears, that is disbelief. We ask Allah for safety. If so, yes. But if it is due to forgetfulness or sleep, then there is no [disbelief]; [he must make up the prayer and hasten to pray it]. But if one intentionally abandons prayer, this is major shirk according to a group of scholars of knowledge. They cited as evidence the authentic hadiths that you have heard. And most scholars of knowledge said that it is disbelief less than disbelief, and that the sin of this disobedience is greater than zina (unlawful sexual intercourse), greater than riba (usury or interest), and greater than 'uquq (undutifulness to parents), but it is not major disbelief. However, the correct view is that it is major shirk. We ask Allah for safety.

Another questioner:
Shaykh, Shaykh, he was overcome by his condition, poor man, meaning he came in exhausted and tired and was unable to pray and collapsed.

The Shaykh:
This is without [context of the previous question], another matter, such as the sleeper, or the one who is unable and has an excuse. This is to be noted: inability is an excuse. He prays according to his condition, even if sitting, if he is unable, like the sick person. Inability: he prays in his state, sitting, or lying on his side, or lying on his back. He does not abandon prayer. He prays according to his condition, just as the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said to 'Umaran:

Another questioner:
Okay, Shaykh, we said now that he is suffering from unconsciousness and fainting.

The Shaykh:
If he regains his mind, there is nothing on him until he becomes aware, until his mind returns to him.

Another questioner:
Yes. Yes.

The Shaykh:
Like a woman, is it accepted? Yes. No, this is not an excuse, it is not an excuse. If he is unable to stand, he prays sitting. If he is unable to sit, he prays on his side. If he is unable to lie on his side, he prays lying on his back, according to his ability, with speech, utterance, and intention.

Another questioner:
Failed. Failed.

The Shaykh:
If he delays it past its time, it is disbelief according to the correct view of what the scholars say. We ask Allah for safety. He must repent, renew his repentance. Yes.

Another questioner:
The father and his sons, the prayer is in the mosque constantly, but they do not pray in congregation. Is it better to pray individually?

The Shaykh:
In any case, if a person prays individually and does not pray with the congregation, he is a sinner and a transgressor, but he is not a disbeliever. He is not a disbeliever unless he abandons it. As for the one who prays in the house, he is a sinner and a transgressor, but he is not a disbeliever unless he abandons it completely. We ask Allah for safety. As for the one who denies its obligation or mocks it, this is disbelief according to all scholars. If he mocks it or denies its obligation, it is disbelief according to all scholars. We ask Allah for safety.

The questioner:
Yes, a man declared his wife haram (forbidden) and said, "My wife is haram."

The Shaykh:
I heard my words: If he intentionally [abandons it], it is major [disbelief], even if he acknowledges its obligation. If he intentionally abandons it until the time has gone, abandoning 'Asr until the sun sets, abandoning Fajr until the sun rises, he becomes a disbeliever. We ask Allah for safety, according to the correct view, even if he acknowledges its obligation. But if he denies its obligation or mocks the prayeers and is able to pray with something, this is major shirk according to all scholars. We ask Allah for safety.