In light of repenting from abandoning or delaying prayer, and if we adopt the view of those who consider one who abandons it out of negligence to be a disbeliever, is it necessary to perform ghusl, utter the two testimonies of faith, and renew the marriage contract? And how is this renewal done if the wife's guardian refuses or if it is difficult to bring witnesses? Is it sufficient to adopt the view of those who consider it a lesser form of disbelief? And must one make up the missed prayers whose number is unknown, and how are they to be made up?

The difference of opinion regarding the ruling on one who abandons prayer out of laziness is a significant one, and the sound evidence indicates his disbelief (kufr). If the one who abandons prayer repents and prays, he returns to Islam without needing to re-pronounce the two testimonies (Shahadatayn), as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah explained. This is because his disbelief was due to abandoning the action, and if he performs it, he returns to Islam. The questioner's statement: "And with this, I remain a disbeliever and Allah does not accept any of my deeds" is incorrect, for his repentance and performance of prayer remove disbelief from him.

It is not necessary to renew the marriage contract unless one of the spouses was not praying at the time of the contract. However, if the abandonment of prayer occurred after the contract, and then the person returned to prayer during the waiting period (iddah), the marriage remains valid. Some scholars have even held that the marriage remains valid even if he returns after the iddah has expired, provided they both agree to resume the marriage. If the husband abandons prayer completely, the marriage is not valid, and the wife must separate from him until he repents, because the one who abandons prayer is a disbeliever. However, if the abandonment was only for some prayers, many scholars do not consider this to be an act of disbelief, and if the worshipper returns before the iddah expires, the marriage remains valid.

One who abandons prayer and then repents is not required to make up the missed prayers according to the preponderant view. He should, however, increase his supererogatory (nafilah) prayers and good deeds.