Does delaying prayer without a valid excuse necessitate performing ghusl as a condition for repentance, based on it being considered an act of disbelief that expels one from the fold of Islam, as stated on the website?

Prayer is the pillar of faith and the first thing a servant will be held accountable for. Whoever observes it will succeed, and whoever neglects it will fail. Neglecting it is among the major sins. Indeed, some scholars consider the one who abandons prayer until its time has passed without an excuse to be a disbeliever. According to this view, whoever abandons a prayer without an excuse until its time has passed has disbelieved and must perform a ritual bath (ghusl), just as a disbeliever does upon embracing Islam.

Ghusl is obligatory for a disbeliever (whether original or apostate) upon embracing Islam. This is the view of the Malikis and Hanbalis. They cite as evidence the hadith of Qays ibn Asim, whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) commanded to perform ghusl with water and lotus leaves upon his conversion to Islam, and also because purifying the inner self from polytheism necessitates purifying the outer self.

Some scholars, however, are of the opinion that ghusl is not obligatory, citing the absence of a general command from the Prophet (peace be upon him) to that effect. Nevertheless, the first opinion, which mandates ghusl, is stronger, because a command given by the Prophet (peace be upon him) to one person from the Ummah regarding a ruling is a command for the entire Ummah.