Will the monotheist who abandons prayer enter Paradise, based on the story of the Negus, taking into account that declaring one who abandons prayer to be an infidel is an act of the innovators?

The disagreement regarding the kufr (disbelief) of one who abandons prayer is ancient and well-known. Major imams have adopted this view, and it has been narrated from a group of Companions. It is not permissible for someone who adopts this view to be attributed to the Kharijite sect. This issue is one of ijtihaad (independent reasoning) where the one who differs is not deemed an innovator. The story of the Negus is not evidence against the kufr of one who abandons prayer, because it is not relevant to the point of contention.