What are the reasons for repeated discontinuation of prayer, and what is the legal (Shar’i) remedy for the problem of not being steadfast in prayer? Does this affect the answering of supplications and the delay of marriage?
Prayer is of great importance and does not tolerate laziness or negligence. There is no acceptable excuse for abandoning it. Work or physical weakness are not excuses for abandoning prayer, because work is not more important than prayer. Whoever is distracted by his work from prayer, it is feared that he will be among the losers, as in the verse: "O you who have believed, let not your wealth and your children divert you from remembrance of Allah. And whoever does that - then those are the losers."
The first thing a servant will be held accountable for on the Day of Resurrection is prayer. Whoever perfects it will have succeeded, and whoever falls short will have failed and lost. Physical weakness is not an excuse; a worshipper can pray standing, and if unable, then sitting, and if unable, then on their side. If the illness is severe, one can combine two prayers.
One must realize the seriousness of abandoning prayer and remember the warnings mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah, such as the verse: "So woe to those who pray, [but] who are heedless of their prayer," and the verse: "But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil."
The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against neglecting prayer. Whoever does not preserve it will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection with Qarun, Pharaoh, Haman, and Ubayy ibn Khalaf. Also, whoever misses the Asr prayer is as if he lost his family and wealth. Therefore, one must fear Allah and hasten to perform what He has made obligatory.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/98785