The fundamental acts of worship in Islam are more commonly referred to as “Five Pillars of Islam”. These are also known as “Arkan al-Islam” (أركان الإسلام). Prayer (Salah) is one of them, Declaration of Faith, Almsgiving (Zakat), Fasting (Sawm), and Pilgrimage (Hajj) being the others.
Performance of prayers at correct timings is mandatory, as mentioned in different verses of the Quran, such as the 78th verse of Surah Al-Isra and the 114th verse of Surah Hud. Recitation of prayers at their correct timings is also emphasized in different Hadiths. Hadith 527 of Sahih Al-Bukhari specifically mentions the virtues and importance of praying at the earliest prescribed times.
Translation
Narrated `Abdullah: I asked the Prophet (ﷺ), “Which deed is the dearest to Allah?” He replied, “To offer the prayers at their early stated fixed times.”
Accordingly, it is evident that offering prayer is mandatory, and offering them at the correct times is highly important and virtuous. In this context, the most commonly asked question, what should be done if a person misses a prayer, becomes very important and relevant.
Missing a Prayer
Missing a prayer is a sensitive religious matter, as offering a prayer at the correct time is an obligation for every Muslim. So, missing out on a prayer should be out of question. However, one can often come across a situation where a prayer might be missed for various reasons.
There might be two possible scenarios where one or more prayers could not be offered at their prescribed timings.
- Missing a prayer due to forgetfulness or sleeping. This situation is considered a valid reason for missing a prayer.
- Missing a prayer, intentionally or consciously, without a valid reason.
While both the above situations are seriously viewed in the Islamic teachings, missing a prayer consciously is termed a major sin.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Prayer with a Valid Reason
Although missing a prayer, even with a valid reason, is undesirable, it is understandable in light of human limitations. A person can fall into a deep sleep for any reason, even if the time for a particular prayer has passed. Sometimes, due to some reasons, one may forget to offer the prayer at its prescribed time. Similarly, a person may be sick or have taken a medication that causes dizziness, which could result in missing the prayer on time. Moreover, there might be some unavoidable circumstances due to which it becomes impossible for a person to offer a particular prayer within the stated time.
Any such occurrence is understandably beyond human control; hence, missing out a prayer under this scenario is taken leniently in Islamic teachings. However, the one who misses a prayer under such compelling circumstances is required to make it up as early as possible, preferably before offering the next regular prayer. If you have missed Dhuhr prayer due to a valid reason and the Asr prayer timings have approached, you must first make up the missed Dhuhr prayer and then offer the regular Asr prayer.
· Making up Multiple Missed Prayers
There might be a scenario where one had missed more than one prayer due to a valid reason. In this case, all the missed prayers have to be offered in the same sequence as those that were missed. For example, if you have missed Dhuhr and Asr Prayers for valid reasons and the time of Maghrib Prayer is approaching, you must first make up the Dhuhr prayer, followed by the Asr prayer. Once the missed prayers are made up, you can then offer regular Maghrib Prayer at its prescribed timings.
· Hadith References for Missed Prayers Due to Valid Reasons
The issue of missing out on a prayer due to a valid reason has been addressed in various Hadiths. One incident is mentioned in Hadith 596 of Sahih Al-Bukhari, which happened during the Battle of the Trench. On this occasion, Asr Prayer could not be offered at its correct time, and the Prophet offered it after the sun had set. That establishes the correct method of making up a missed prayer, i.e., offering it before the next regular prayer.
Translation
On the day of Al-Khandaq (the battle of trench), `Umar bin Al-Khattab came cursing the disbelievers of Quraish after the sun had set and said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ), I could not offer the `Asr prayer till the sun had set.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “By Allah! I, too, have not prayed.” So we turned towards Buthan, and the Prophet (ﷺ) performed ablution and we too performed ablution and offered the `Asr prayer after the sun had set, and then he offered the Maghrib prayer.
On another occasion, the Prophet Muhammad صَلَّى ٱللَّٰهُ عَلَيْهِۦ وَسَلَّمَ instructed his companions that if you have forgotten to offer a prayer at its stated time, immediately make it up, as and when you remember having missed it. Hadith 597 of Sahih Al-Bukhari narrates it as under:
Translation
If anyone forgets a prayer, he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except to pray the same.” Then he recited: “Establish prayer for My (i.e., Allah’s) remembrance.” (20.14).
This Hadith establishes two main things about a prayer missed out due to forgetfulness as follows:
- It needs to be made up instantly when you remember it.
- It is not a sin, and its expiation is just making it up.
The same subject is also mentioned in Hadith 684c of Sahih Muslim with the addition of the condition of missing a prayer due to sleeping.
Hence, the Sunnah and Hadith narrate that a missed prayer due to a valid reason needs to be made up immediately. The valid reasons include:
- Forgetfulness
- Sleeping
- Circumstances beyond your control (as happened on the day of the Battle of Trench)
What to Do If a Prayer is Missed Deliberately
Deliberately missing one or more prayers without a valid reason is considered a major sin in Islamic teachings. The Quran narrates in the 59th verse of Surah Maryam that those who abandon prayer are destined to meet evil and destruction.
Translation
But they are succeeded by a generation who neglect their devotional obligations and follow only earthly pleasures; they will reach the wrong road and meet destruction.
Hadith 82a of Sahih Muslim narrates that the abandonment of Prayer differentiates a disbeliever from the believers.
Translation
Verily, between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer
Accordingly, the consensus among almost all scholars about a person missing a prayer intentionally is as follows:
- It is a major sin.
- It cannot be expiated by making up the missed prayers.
- Offering a prayer to make up for the prayers missed deliberately is not acceptable and carries no weight.
- The culprit needs to repent.
- The culprit should try to do as many good deeds as possible to earn rewards in abundance, thereby balancing out the sin committed for deliberately missing a prayer.
Hence, the deliberately missed prayer cannot be made up by offering a prayer instead of the one missed by a person. Scholars are of the view that such a person should repent and seek forgiveness for his negligence. Additionally, they should try to offer Nafl prayers as much as possible to get more rewards. Above all, such a person must refrain from intentionally missing prayers in the future.
Conclusion
Islam, being a compassionate religion, allows concessions and relaxations, wherever possible. The same applies to prayers missed due to valid reasons, including forgetfulness, unavoidable circumstances, matters beyond human control, and oversleeping due to tiredness. This action is not considered a sin, and Islam allows it to be made up by offering the missed prayer as early as possible or whenever it is remembered. The expiation of such a missed prayer is to make it up.
On the other hand, missing a prayer consciously, without a valid reason, is a major sin, which cannot be expiated through making it up. Hence, performing make-up prayers in this case is not acceptable; the culprit needs to seek forgiveness and repent for his sin. Additionally, they need to offer the maximum possible Nafl prayers to receive additional rewards, thereby balancing out the sin of missing the prayer without a valid reason.
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