How many missed prayers mandate execution for intentional abandonment?
Chapter on the Ruling on One Who Abandons Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of the Eclipse Prayers (Solar and Lunar)
Primary text
The apparent view of Al-Kharaqi suggests execution is obligatory for abandoning a single prayer, which is one narration from Ahmad, as the person is a prayer-abandoner, similar to one who misses three. However, the obligation to kill is not established until the time for the next prayer arrives, because the abandonment of the first is only known upon its missed time, making it a missed act for which execution is not yet due. Once the subsequent time arrives, the intent to abandon is known, and execution is mandated.
Supporting text
The second narration states that execution is not mandatory until three prayers are missed, and the time for the fourth arrives. This is because one might miss one or two prayers due to a misunderstanding, but repetition three times confirms abandonment out of aversion. Furthermore, Ibn Hamid narrated from Abu Ishaq ibn Shaqila that if one misses a prayer that is not joined with another (like Fajr or Asr), execution is due. If the first of the two Friday prayers is missed, execution is not due because some scholars consider the two times as one.