I have a Shia friend from work who privately told me he doesn't pray Salah due to laziness. He said he has left enough money in his will to pay someone after he dies to pray it all back for him. How should I respond to him?
Bismillah,
Asalamu Alaykom,
What he is doing is a very big sin and he cannot miss salah on purpose. He may have someone to do the missed salahs after his death however he won't be free of the punishment which he will brings upon himself for each intentional missed Salah.
Share him the following hadith:
Imam Ali [as] said: Verily, some people worshipped Allah being desirous (Of His reward) – so this is the worship of traders; and some people worshipped Allah fearing (His punishment) – so it is the worship of slaves, and a group worshipped Allah in gratitude (to Him) so this is the worship of the free. (Nahju ‘I-balaghah)
try to remind him of the benefits of the salah and help him in a way to beat his laziness. Tell him to try and count the endless amount of blessings he has and how rationally one must thank the one who blesses him. How is salah a burden compared to the life and sustenance that Allah has given us?!
May Allah grant you success