Is obedience to a husband who does not pray obligatory, and what is the way to encourage him to pray?

A wife must obey her husband in what is right and good, as stated in many hadiths. However, if the husband never prays at all, some scholars have held that this constitutes major disbelief (kufr akbar) that expels him from the fold of Islam, and in this case, it is not permissible for the wife to remain with him. Others have maintained that he is a disobedient individual committing a major sin but is not a disbeliever, and that describing him as a disbeliever falls under minor disbelief (kufr asghar).

According to both opinions, separation from him is better, because there is no good in someone who neglects prayer, and he will be even more negligent regarding other matters. However, if he prays sometimes and misses prayers sometimes, he is committing a major sin but is not a disbeliever.

Describing the husband as "very righteous" while he abandons prayer is not accurate; rather, it is more appropriate to describe him as "very corrupt." Nevertheless, we advise against despairing of him if the wife decides to stay with him. She should frequently supplicate for his guidance and continue to advise and invite him [to prayer].