A:
Salah is one of the pillars of Islam. It is the most important pillar of Islam after the Shahadah (Testimony of Faith). It is an individual obligation. Whoever abandons it out of negligence or laziness is a Kafir (a disbeliever). As for those who offer Sawm and Salah only during Ramadan, they attempt to deceive Allah but indeed they are the worst servants who worship Allah only during Ramadan. Their Sawm is invalid, if they abandon Salah during other months, they are in fact committing a major act of Kufr (disbelief) even if they do not deny that Salah is obligatory. This is the soundest of the scholars' two opinions on this issue and it is based on the Saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him):
The covenant that distinguishes between us and them (the hypocrites) is Salah. Anyone who abandons it is a Kafir.
Narrated by Imam
Ahmad,
Abu Dawud,
Al-Tirmidhy,
Al-Nasa'y,
Ibn Majah, with an authentic Isnad (chain of narration)
from
Buraydah Al-Aslamy (may Allah be pleased with him) and the Saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): (Part No. 10; Page No. 141)
The head of the matter is Islam; the pillar is Salah; and its topmost part is Jihad (defending the Cause of Allah).
Narrated by Imam
Al-Tirmidhy (may Allah be merciful to him) with an authentic Isnad
on the authority of
Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him). The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said,
Between man and between Al-Kufr (disbelief) and Al-Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) is the abandonment of Salah.
Narrated by Imam
Muslim in his Sahih
on the authority of
Jabir ibn `Abdullah Al-Ansary (may Allah be pleased with him). Indeed, there are many Hadiths to that effect.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.