Yes, missing Namaz (prayer) intentionally is considered a major sin in Islam according to the Qur'an and Hadith.
Here's a breakdown of why:
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Emphasis in the Qur'an: The Qur'an repeatedly emphasizes the importance of establishing and maintaining prayer. Neglecting this obligation is viewed negatively.
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Hadith Warnings: Several authentic Hadith strongly condemn those who deliberately miss prayers without a valid excuse. Some narrations even equate abandoning prayer with disbelief. For example, one Hadith likens deliberately missing prayer to disbelief.
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Consequences: Islamic scholars generally agree that deliberately missing prayers is a serious offense. While the exact consequences may vary depending on the interpretation and school of thought, the gravity of the sin is consistently underscored.
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Valid Excuses: It's important to note that there are valid excuses for missing prayer, such as illness, travel, or unavoidable circumstances. In such cases, the missed prayer should be made up (Qada) as soon as possible. The key is intention: a sincere desire to pray, coupled with making up missed prayers when able, demonstrates adherence to the Islamic obligation.
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Repentance: If someone has missed prayers due to negligence, sincere repentance (Tawbah) to Allah is crucial. This includes regretting the missed prayers, resolving not to repeat the mistake, and making up the missed prayers.
In summary, intentionally missing Namaz without a valid reason is a grave sin in Islam. It's an obligation that carries significant spiritual weight and its neglect has serious consequences.