But I'm just very confused as why we have to pray so strictly and not others.

It's not their fault that they're not Muslims and don't have to pray. But from my understanding that wouldn't mean they won't go to heaven right? I just don't understand how this whole thing works. ~Are there any sources I can look through to understand this better?

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It’s an act of mercy for us from God and an opportunity to get to Paradise. Yes it’s Allah who decides but we can help our case by performing our prayers correctly and understanding what we’re saying. It’s an honour to pray. We should not look at it as a burden. In fact salah helps our spiritual growth. Quran tells us it protects us from vice and evil. It’s a positive act not a bad one. Hence we should embrace it fully.