Is the one who abandons prayer considered a mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah) who is prevented from entering Makkah?

The questioner : If we say that a man who does not pray is not permitted to enter Makkah, and we cite the verse indicating that mushrikin (those who associate partners with Allah) are not to enter, is the one who abandons prayer considered a mushrik?

The Shaykh : Yes, the one who abandons prayer is considered a mushrik based on the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) Furthermore, the mushrik is prevented from entering because of the corruption of his belief. The disbeliever has a corrupt belief and corrupt actions. There is no difference between the mushrik and the murtadd (apostate); rather, the murtadd is in a worse state than the mushrik, because the murtadd is not left to remain in his apostasy, whereas the mushrik is left to remain in his shirk (associating partners with Allah). This means that the mushrik may have a covenant with the Muslims such that they do not attack him, but the murtadd has no covenant; rather, he is forced to return to Islam. If he does not do so, he is killed.