Is the one who abandons prayer out of idleness considered a disbeliever (kafir) with major disbelief (kufr akbar) that expels him from the fold of Islam, and what are the implications of this for his relatives and acquaintances?

The scholars differed concerning one who abandons prayer out of laziness. The majority hold that he is not a disbeliever. The accepted view among the Hanbalis is that he does not disbelieve unless the Imam or his deputy calls him to prayer and he refuses. One who abandons prayer is in grave danger, and he must be advised and guided.