Is it obligatory to refrain from eating the meat slaughtered by someone known to abandon prayer, and is that considered a judgment of apostasy against them?

One who intentionally and voluntarily insults religion is an infidel (kafir), and it is not permissible to eat the meat of an animal slaughtered by him. It is inconceivable for a Muslim to commit such an act out of ignorance; rather, he might be forced into it, as in the story of Ammar ibn Yasir, where Allah Almighty says: "Whoever disbelieves in Allah after his belief, except for one who is forced [to renounce his religion] while his heart is secure in faith. But those who open their breasts to disbelief - upon them is wrath from Allah."

As for one who abandons prayer out of laziness, scholars have differed concerning him. The majority of scholars do not consider him an infidel, while Imam Ahmad, in his well-known opinion, does. He often abandons it believing that one who abandons prayer is not an infidel, based on the opinion of the majority. Therefore, one should be hesitant in his regard and not declare him an infidel or forbid eating the meat of an animal slaughtered by him, due to the presence of doubt. And whoever refrains from eating it as a precaution has done well.