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Linguistic definition
Ṣalāt primarily means supplication (9:103).
Legal definition
An act of worship with niyya, opening with takbīr and ending with salām.
Obligation
Individual obligation (fard ʿayn) for every responsible Muslim — known by necessity from the religion.
Denial vs neglect
Denying the obligation exits Islam; neglecting it while acknowledging it is a major sin — without judging others.