Is it necessary to strive to obtain the reward of the obligatory (prayer/act)?

The obligatory duty upon a legally responsible individual must be performed, and efforts must be made to achieve it in order to earn reward. Failure to do so, despite being able, incurs sin. It is the best and greatest act of drawing near to Allah in terms of reward, as stated in the Hadith Qudsi: "My servant does not draw near to Me with anything more beloved to Me than what I have obligated upon him." Obligatory duties are more perfect, more beloved to Allah, and bring one closer to Him, because their command is firm, and punishment results from their abandonment.