Exegesis of the saying of Allah the Exalted: “So woe to the praying ones…”

Question:
I ask for an explanation of the saying of Allah the Exalted: who are heedless of their prayer who are those who put on a show and withhold what is useful [Al-Ma'un: 4-7]?

Answer:
The noble verse mentioned is to be taken at its apparent meaning, and "wail" is an indication of the severity of the punishment. Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) threatens the praying ones described with these characteristics mentioned by him (peace and blessings be upon him) , which is His saying: "Those who are hypocritical and withhold what is useful ."
Heedlessness regarding prayer is negligence of it and being lax about its importance; it does not mean abandoning it, because abandoning it is major shirk (associating partners with Allah), even if one does not deny its obligation—in the most correct of the two opinions of the scholars. We ask Allah for safety.
As for being lax about it, that is being negligent about some of what Allah has made obligatory in it, such as being late in performing it in congregation—in the most correct of the two opinions of the scholars—and this is what the mentioned threat refers to.
As for if one abandons it intentionally, he becomes a disbeliever with major disbelief, even if he does not deny its obligation—in the most correct of the two opinions of the scholars—as mentioned earlier; because of the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): . It was narrated by Imam Ahmad and the people of the Sunan with a sound chain, and because of his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): It was narrated by Imam Muslim in his Sahih. So these two hadiths and what came with their meaning are an established proof and a clear argument for the disbelief of the one who abandons prayer, even if he does not deny its obligation.
As for if he denies its obligation, he disbelieves by the consensus of the scholars, even if he prays. As for heedlessness in it, that is not what is intended in this verse, and the mentioned threat does not apply to it, because it is not within the power of a person to be free from it. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was heedless in prayer more than once, as indicated by the authentic hadiths, and likewise, other people are more likely to be heedless.
And among the forms of heedlessness regarding it is showing off in it, like the action of the hypocrites.
So it is obligatory for the believer to pray for Allah alone, seeking His noble Face and seeking the reward with Him (Mighty and Majestic) ; because he knows that Allah has made the five prayers obligatory upon him; so he performs them with sincerity for Allah, and magnification of Him, and seeking His pleasure (Glorified and Exalted is He) ; and out of fear of His punishment.
And among the attributes of the praying ones who are threatened with woe is that they withhold what is useful. “What is useful” was interpreted as zakah (the obligatory alms), and that they withhold zakah; because zakah is the companion of prayer, as He, Glorified and Exalted is He, said: [Al-Bayyinah: 5], and He, the Exalted, said: [Al-Baqarah: 43].
And others from the people of knowledge said: It is a loan, which is what people need and are in dire necessity for. And some interpreted it as: the bucket for bringing water, and the pot for cooking, and the like. But withholding zakah is greater and more serious.
So it is recommended for the Muslim to be eager to perform what Allah has made obligatory upon him, and to help his brothers in their need for a loan; because it benefits them, and benefits him as well, and does not harm him.