Answered by Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him)
What is the state of someone who is keen to perform sunnah acts, and to attend gatherings of remembrance and learning, and yet is reluctant to perform his obligatory prayers, and misses most of them?
This person has a sickness and a deficiency, and he should be reminded of the exaltedness of the things Allah has made obligatory. This should be communicated to him by way of books or lectures. You should also pray for him a lot. He should not be advised to leave sunnah acts and attending gatherings, but rather these things and the people whose company he keeps should remind him of his obligations and give him the ambition to fulfill them. You should pray that Allah Most High casts exaltation in his heart for the things which He has venerated and made compulsory, and of performing them.