How one gradually abandons prayer:

بسم الله والحمد لله والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله ، وبعد

Shaikh Ibn Baaz رحمه الله said:

“And it is known that abandoning the prayer with congregation is among the major factors for abandoning the prayer in its entirety – Allaah’s refuge is sought – because this disease of the heart which made him abandon the congregation will eventually pull him towards desertion and carelessness (of prayer). So sometimes he is praying and sometimes he is not. And this is based on Riyaa’ (showing off); so if he is with the people he prays – to avoid embarrassment, but when he is alone, he forsakes it. And this is the state of the hypocrites.” [al-Ikhtiyaraat al-Fiqhiyyah (1/107)]