Last updated on October 2nd, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Prayer (صلاة) holds a significant place in Islamic beliefs. It is one of the five pillars of Islam, placed second in the order of importance, just after the basic belief, Shahada (declaration of faith). That indicates the importance of prayer in Islam.
Standing for prayer is a unique act of worship, seen as an identity marker for Muslims and differentiating them from followers of other religions. When standing up for prayer, a believer is directly connected to Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَى, thereby bringing spiritual purification and religious discipline upon them. Prayer is also seen as an act of remembrance of Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, praising and glorifying Him, while seeking His forgiveness and mercy. It comprises various movements and postures, including bowing and prostration, each symbolizing the humble submission of a servant before the Almighty Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ. The performance of five daily prayers within a specified time slot, during the day and night, has been made obligatory in the Islamic faith: Fajr (morning), Duhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset or evening), and Isha (night). Each of these prayers must be performed at its specific times, as clearly defined in Islamic jurisprudence.
While the performance of prayers at fixed times is obligatory, it may happen that, with anyone at any time, they may not perform them in time or completely miss them, either intentionally or unintentionally. In this context, a very common query raised by many Muslims is what to do if someone misses a prayer intentionally. In this article, we will explore the general ruling on this important matter, supported with relevant references from the Quran and Sunnah.
Prayer is Obligatory at Fixed Times
Praying at fixed hours is repeatedly emphasized in the Quran, such as in the 43rd verse of Surah Al-Baqarah, which emphasizes the need for believers to establish prayer.
Translation – Establish the Salat, pay the Zakat, and bow down before Me along with those who bow down.
Then, in the 114th verse of Surah Hud, establishing prayer at fixed hours is described as follows:
Translation – And establish the Prayer at the two ends of the day and in the first hours of the night. Indeed the good deeds drive away the evil deeds. This is a Reminder to those who are mindful of Allah.
The timings of daily prayers are also described in the 78th verse of Surah Al-Isra, in the following way:
Translation – Establish Prayer from the declining of the sun to the darkness of the night; and hold fast to the recitation of the Qur’an at dawn, for the recitation of the Qur’an at dawn is witnessed.
According to the tafsir of the two verses above, scholars explain that it refers to all five daily prayers, i.e., Fajr, Duhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha. While these verses make five daily prayers obligatory, the 103rd verse of Surah An-Nisah explains the compulsion of performing them at fixed hours.
Translation of relevant part – ……. The Prayer is enjoined upon the believers at stated times.
So, from the above-quoted Quranic verses, it can be summarized that:
- Prayers (Salah) are obligatory
- There are five daily prayers, i.e., Fajr, Duhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isah
- Performance of prayers at specified times is mandatory
Since each prayer is to be performed during a fixed time slot, the five regular daily prayers must also be performed in the correct sequence. But at times, an individual may miss a particular prayer at its specified time.
The Consequences of Intentionally Missing Prayers
Considering human limitations, there are two scenarios for a missed prayer: either it was missed unintentionally or it was missed intentionally. Islamic teachings address both scenarios differently, rating intentional omission more serious than unintentional omission.
The Quran and Sunnah clearly guide us on the seriousness of intentionally missing a prayer. The 59th verse of Surah Maryam explains as follows:
Translation – They were succeeded by a people who neglected the Prayers and pursued their lusts. They shall presently meet with their doom.
The consequences of missing prayers are also described as a place in Hell, in the 42nd and 43rd verses of Surah Al-Muddatthir.
Translation – What drove you to Hell? – They will answer: “We were not among those who observed the prayer “
The seriousness of intentionally omitting a prayer is also described in various Hadiths, including Hadith 82a of Sahih Muslim.
Translation – Verily, between man and between polytheism and unbelief is the negligence of prayer.
Hadith 463 of Sunan An-Nasa’I explains the seriousness of abandoning prayers, as a difference between a believer and a disbeliever.
Translation – The covenant that stands between them and us is the Salah; whoever abandons it, he has committed disbelief.
So, the consequences of missing a prayer intentionally, in the light of the above Quranic and Hadith references, can be summarized as follows:
- It is a highly serious incident when an individual intentionally misses prayers
- When an individual intentionally misses prayers, he/she is separated from believers and treated as a non-believer.
- Regularly performing prayer at the right times is a clear distinction between Muslims and others.
- Those who intentionally skip prayers are destined for a place in Hellfire.
- Those who skip prayer are among the disbelievers.
Hence, intentionally missing prayers is a serious misconduct as per Islamic teachings, which has serious consequences:
- According to the Hanbali Jurisprudence, intentionally missing prayers is a major disbelief.
- According to the Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i schools of thought, it is a major sin, not a major disbelief.
What to Do if Prayer is Intentionally Missed Out?
The following steps can be done:
1. First Thing is Sincere Repentance
Whether it is termed “major disbelief” or “major sin”, a believer has the opportunity to sincerely repent and seek Allah’s سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ forgiveness, at any time, and it is our firm belief that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ accepts the sincere repentance, as also mentioned in the 53rd verse of Surah Az-Zumar.
Translation – Tell them, (O Prophet): “My servants who have committed excesses against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s Mercy. Surely Allah forgives all sins. He is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.
So, the first thing to do, in the event of missed prayers, is sincere repentance, admitting the negligence, and making a firm intention not to repeat it in the future. Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ will surely forgive us of our negligence in the performance of religious obligations.
2. Perform the Missed Prayer Without Further Delay
Once you have realized and admitted the serious act of negligence, and submitted sincere repentance, with the hope that Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ may forgive it, the next step is to perform the missed prayer immediately without wasting any time. The scholarly opinion about making up the missed prayers can be summarized as follows:
- Single Prayer Missed – If only one prayer is skipped, it must be performed, as early as possible, before the start of the time of the next prayer. It means, if you have missed Duhr prayer intentionally, the best and highly recommended act is to perform it well before the start of the time for Asr (next prayer).
- Multiple Prayers Missed – If more than one prayer was missed intentionally, perform them in correct sequence. It means, if you have skipped Fajr, Duhr, and Asr prayer on a particular day, and realize your negligence the same day, you need to make up these prayers in correct order, i.e., firstly perform Fajr, then Duhr, and then Asr, preferably before the performance of Maghrib prayer on the same day.
- Prayers Missed for A Large Number of Days/Years – It is the worst case, if someone has missed several prayers over an extended period of time, spanning months and years. Scholarly opinion in this case is to make up these missed prayers in the following way:
- Make an estimate of how many prayers have been missed. This might not be an exact estimation; just a reasonably near-perfect calculation. However, if it is possible and the number of missed prayers is limited, you need to calculate the exact number of missed prayers, so that these may be made up subsequently.
- Make a firm intention to make up all these missed prayers, known as “Qada Umri” (making up lifetime missed prayers), in Islamic terminology.
- Start performing at least one additional prayer alongside the regular prayers. It means, if you are performing Fajr prayer, recite at least one additional Fajr prayer every day to make up for the missed Fajr prayer. The same needs to be repeated for Duhr, Asr, Maghrib, and Isha Prayer. Consistency is all-important in Qada Umri. Once set in, ensure to keep the momentum and don’t miss any further prayers.
- In case of any confusion about the number of missed prayers or any other relevant issue, it is highly recommended to consult an authentic scholar, who may guide you on the best way to make up the missed prayers.
- Increase Nafl Acts Of Worship – Missing prayers intentionally is a sinful act, or even an act of disbelief, according to some scholars. While it is necessary to make up the missed prayers, it is also highly recommended to increase Nafl acts of worship to compensate for sinful This may include performing extra Sunah or Nafl prayers and night prayer (tahajjud). Frequently reciting the Quran and reciting repeated remembrance of Allah, سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ(Dhikr), is yet another recommended act of worship to make up for the deficiencies of rewards. You can also increase charity and feeding the poor as an act of extra worship to cover the sin of intentionally skipping prayers. The importance and need of making voluntary acts of worship are narrated in Hadith 413 of Jami at-Tirmidhi.
Translation – Indeed, the first deed by which a servant will be called to account on the Day of Resurrection is his Salat. If it is complete, he is successful and saved, but if it is defective, he has failed and lost. So if something is deficient in his obligatory (prayers), then the Lord, Mighty and Sublime says: ‘Look! Are there any voluntary (prayers) for my worshipper?’ So with them, what was deficient in his obligatory (prayers) will be completed. Then the rest of his deeds will be treated like that.”
Making Up Unintentionally Missed Prayer
The case of a person who has unintentionally missed a prayer, for any reason beyond his control, is treated differently in Islamic teachings. While intentionally missing a prayer is considered a major sin or disbelief, an unintentional lapse in performing prayer is taken leniently in Islam and can be made up simply by performing it when the omission is realized. This is clearly mentioned in Hadith 597 of Sahih Al-Bukhari.
Translation – If anyone forgets a prayer, he should pray that prayer when he remembers it. There is no expiation except to pray the same.
FAQs
Is intentionally missing a prayer a major sin?
Yes, deliberately missing any prayer is termed a major sin in Islam. Some scholars also term it a major act of disbelief.
Do I need to make up the missed prayers?
Yes, the majority of scholars are of the opinion that making up missed prayers is obligatory, whereas according to the Hanbali Jurisprudence, it is not mandatory; only repentance is sufficient.
Will Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ forgive us even if someone has missed several prayers over an extended period of time?
Yes, Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ loves repentance and forgives the sins, when a servant sincerely repents and seeks His mercy. However, in that case, you also need to make up the missed prayers.
How can one calculate the exact number of missed prayers, if it was lapsed for years?
Scholarly opinion on this issue is that one should try to make a reasonably good calculation of missed prayer, to the best of one’s capability. Then start making them up regularly.
How can I avoid missing prayers in the coming days?
It largely depends on your resolve and commitment. Make firm intention, strengthen your faith, seek guidance from Allah سُبْحَانَهُۥ وَتَعَالَىٰ, and avoid the company of wrongdoers. Prefer the company of righteous people and be consistent in the performance of religious obligations.
