If there is a consensus regarding the disbelief (kufr) of one who abandons prayer, then why was this not affirmed by the Four Imams, rather it was narrated from Imam Ahmad that which concurs with them, and Al-Shawkani mentioned the consensus of the Salaf on his not being a disbeliever?

Summary of the Fatwa:

- Whoever abandons prayer, denying its obligation while knowing it, is an apostate disbeliever by the consensus of the Ummah. - Whoever abandons prayer, denying its obligation out of ignorance, such as a recent convert to Islam, is not ruled to be a disbeliever; rather, he is taught and commanded to pray. - As for whoever abandons prayer due to laziness and negligence, scholars have differed concerning him: some consider him a disbeliever, while others do not. - The Malikis and Shafi'is hold that the one who abandons prayer out of negligence is to be executed as a Hadd punishment, and his ruling after death is that of a Muslim. - The Hanbalis hold that the one who abandons prayer out of laziness is to be executed as a Hadd punishment after being given a chance to repent, and it was also said that this constitutes disbelief. - Ibn Uthaymeen holds that disbelief only occurs by the absolute abandonment of prayer, not by abandoning it occasionally. - There is a narrated consensus from some scholars regarding the disbelief of one who abandons prayer, based on texts and sayings of the Companions. - While others have narrated a consensus on his not being a disbeliever, based on the actions of Muslims in every era, such as washing him, praying over him, and burying him in Muslim cemeteries, and interpreting the texts that mention disbelief as being for emphasis. - This is a matter of scholarly disagreement, and the difference of opinion therein is permissible.