The Ruling on the Fasting of One Who does not pray

Question :

I have observed that some young Muslim men fast, but they do not pray here. Is the fast of one who does not pray accepted? I have heard one religious preacher saying to these young men: "Break your fast and do not fast, because whoever does not pray, there is no fast for him." Please explain to me, is it the same whether or not these people fast? And do we have the right to say to them: "Break your fast, if you do not pray."?

Answer:

Whoever is required to pray, but abandons it deliberately, denying its obligation is guilty of disbelief according to the consensus of the scholars, and whoever abandons it due to neglect or laziness is (also) a disbeliever, according to the most correct opinion from among the sayings of the scholars. So when a person is judged to be a disbeliever, his fast and any other acts of worship he may perform are in vain, according to the Words of Allah, the Most High:

But if they had joined in worship others with Allah, all that they used to do would have been of no benefit to them.

But, he should not be ordered to abandon fasting because his fast will not increase him in anything except goodness and bring him closer to the religion; and it will cause fear in his heart, so that it is hoped he will return to prayer and repent of his abandoning it.

And through Allah is attained success. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

Source: The Permanent Committee
Fatawa Islamiyah, Vol. 2 Pages 380-381