Question:
I have witnessed some of the Muslim youth
fasting, but they do not pray. Is the fast of the
person who fasts but does not pray accepted? I
have heard some of the preachers telling these
youth to break their fast and not to fast, as he
who does not pray has no fast?

Answer:
Whomever the prayer is obligatory upon and he
intentionally abandons it, rejecting its obligation,
then he has disbelieved according to the consensus
of the scholars. Whoever abandons it due to being
lax and lazy about it, then he has disbelieved
according to the correct opinion from the opinions
of the people of knowledge. When it is ruled that he
is a disbeliever, then his fasting and other acts of
worship are nullified. This due to Allah's
statement: And if they had associated partners
with Allah, all that they used to do would have
been of no benefit to them . However such a person
should not be ordered to abandon fasting. This is
because his fasting will only increase him in
goodness and closeness to the religion. Also, due
to the fear of his heart, it is hoped that it will lead
him to return to the performance of the prayer and
repentance from abandoning it. And success is
from Allah. May Allah send blessings and peace
upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and his
Companions.

Permanent Committee for Research and Verdicts
Fatawa Islamiyah Page no. 247 Vol: 2


Source: http://fatwaislam.com/fis/index.cfm?scn=fd&ID=881