What is the ruling on one who was unaware of the punishment for a sin, such as someone who delayed their prayer, being ignorant that this might be considered disbelief by some imams, and is it permissible to delay prayer due to studying and its demands?

Ignorance is of two types: Ignorance of a religious ruling is an excuse for one who has not been negligent in seeking knowledge. However, ignorance of the punishment, coupled with knowledge of the religious ruling, is not an excuse. The evidence for this is the story of Ma'iz and his ignorance of the punishment for adultery, and the story of the Companion who had intercourse during the daytime in Ramadan and his ignorance of the necessity of expiation, for this ignorance did not waive the punishment for either of them. Thus, the excusable ignorance is ignorance that an act is forbidden, not ignorance of the consequences that result from it.

Scholars have differed regarding the ruling on one who intentionally delays prayer beyond its prescribed time, but they have agreed that his sin is greater than adultery and theft. The majority of them hold that this does not constitute apostasy that expels one from the faith. What is obligatory is sincere repentance and not delaying prayer beyond its prescribed time for any reason, for repentance erases sin, and prayer is never waived from a person.