My motivation has weakened, and I have started neglecting the prayer because of the environment around me. How can I restore my faith?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah.

Prayer is the greatest pillar of Islam after the two testimonies of faith. It is the pillar of the religion and the first deed for which a person will be held accountable on the Day of Resurrection. Therefore, preserving the prayer is one of the greatest means of strengthening faith and purifying the heart.

If a Muslim feels that his faith has weakened or that he has been negatively influenced by his surroundings, he should hasten to seek a remedy and not surrender to this weakness. Hearts are in the Hand of the Most Merciful, and He turns them as He wills.

How can you restore your faith and remain steadfast in prayer?

Among the most important means are:

• Realize the greatness of prayer and the danger of neglecting it. It is not an ordinary act of worship but the foundation of one's religion.
• Repent to Allah immediately without delay, for every day spent without prayer is a tremendous loss.
• Perform the prayers in the mosque with the congregation whenever possible, as this is one of the strongest means of remaining steadfast.
• Increase your recitation of the Qur'an, remembrance of Allah (dhikr), supplication (du'a), and voluntary acts of worship, for they strengthen faith.
• Stay away from environments and companions that weaken your heart, and keep the company of righteous people.
• Avoid both outward and inward sins, for they are among the greatest causes of hardness of the heart and weakness of faith.

Do not let a dream or vision be what motivates you to repent. Rather, let your motivation be your love for Allah, your fear of Him, and your desire to earn His pleasure.

Do not let fear of provision lead you to what is unlawful

If you fear that your future career may involve prohibited work, such as dealing with usury (riba) or similar matters, remember that provision is in Allah's Hand alone. Whoever leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah will replace it with something better.

Allah, the Exalted, says:

"And whoever fears Allah - He will make for him a way out, and will provide for him from where he does not expect."
(Qur'an 65:2–3)

Therefore, strive to seek lawful provision, place your trust in Allah, and do not let fear of the future lead you into what Allah has forbidden. The doors of lawful livelihood are many, and whoever is sincere with Allah, Allah will support and guide him.

Summary

Weakness of faith may affect any Muslim, but its remedy is to return to Allah, maintain the prayers, keep the company of righteous people, increase acts of worship, and stay away from the causes of heedlessness. Likewise, fear for one's livelihood is never a justification for engaging in what Allah has prohibited, for Allah has guaranteed provision for those who fear Him and obey Him.

And Allah knows best.