What is the ruling and prescribed action for one who intentionally abandons prayer out of neglect or laziness?
Chapter on the Ruling on One Who Abandons Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of the Eclipse Prayers (Solar and Lunar)
Primary text
Such a person is summoned to perform the prayer, told, 'If you pray, you live; otherwise, you are killed.' If they pray, they are left alone. If they refuse, their execution becomes obligatory. They are not killed immediately but must be imprisoned for three days, restricted therein, and summoned to pray at the time of each required prayer, being warned of death. If they then pray, they are spared. If they still refuse, they are executed by the sword. This is the position of Malik, Hammad ibn Zayd, Waqi', and Al-Shafi'i.
Supporting text
Al-Zuhri, Abu Hanifa, hold that the person should be beaten and imprisoned, but not killed. Abu Hanifa cites the Hadith stating that a Muslim's blood is unlawful except for three reasons: apostasy after faith, adultery after marriage, or unjust homicide, none of which apply here. They also cite the Hadith commanding fighting people until they say the testimony, after which their lives and property are safe except by right. They argue that abandoning prayer is a secondary matter, unlike Hajj, for which execution is not prescribed, and that capital punishment should not be legislated as a deterrent when the deterrent itself prevents the act.