Is a husband excused for being negligent in performing prayers on time due to feelings of laziness and insomnia, claiming he is under a spell, and that he will go mad if he wakes up for prayer? And does the wife have the right to seek a divorce in this case?

Prayer is a great pillar of Islam, and it must be observed at its appointed time. A husband's sleeping through prayer on the pretext of magic or fatigue is not an excuse, and he must strive against himself to perform it at its due time if he is aware and conscious.

However, if he is not aware of what he is saying, there is no sin in delaying the prayer until the impediment is removed. The default is to believe him in his claim of severe sleep or lack of awareness, unless proven otherwise. Divorce is not permissible unless there is a legitimate Sharia (definition) reason. The wife is advised to be patient and pray for her husband, and to help him seek treatment through Ruqyah (definition) (Islamic exorcism) if the presence of magic is confirmed.