Weakness of will and lack of true understanding of leaving prayer are two reasons of being remiss of the prayer.
Question:
Why aren’t some people so enthusiastic about offering the prayer, and why are they so slothful in uttering the prayer?
Answer:
Not being enthusiastic about performing the prayer (Salat) can have different reasons.
Some of the reasons, that cause the people not to say the prayer or to be slothful in performing it, are as following:
1- Lack of true understanding of leaving prayer and disregarding it; [1] if people become familiar with the importance of prayer and know that the prayer is the pillar of religion, [2] and consider it as a disincentive to immorality and wrongdoing, [3] certainly they won’t be remiss in offering the prayer.
2- The main reason for leaving the prayer is weakness of will. Of course, strong will is not achievable through reading, studying or taking some pills rather it could be achievable through making continuous efforts and with adopting some practical solutions. There is a tradition from Imam Sadiq (A) in this regard saying:
"Indeed the body won’t become weak if the will be strong." [4]
Note:
[1] Surah AL-MA’UN, verse 4: "فَوَيْلٌ لِلْمُصَلِّينَ الَّذينَ هُمْ عَنْ صَلاتِهِمْ ساهُون": (So woe to those who pray [But] who are heedless of their prayer)
[2] Da'aem al-Islam, v.1, p.133: "الصلاۀ عمود الدین"
[3] Surah AL-'ANKABUT, verse 45: "إِنَّ الصَّلاةَ تَنْهى عَنِ الْفَحْشاءِ وَ الْمُنْكَر"
[4] Man la yahzor, v.4, p.400: "مَا ضَعُفَ بَدَنٌ عَمَّا قَوِيَتْ عَلَيْهِ النِّيَّةُ"