❖ The Shari‘ah Status of “Qada-e-Umri” (Making Up Missed Prayers of Many Years)
The concept of “Qada-e-Umri” — that is, offering all missed prayers of many years collectively later — has no basis in the Shari‘ah. Hence, this practice is considered a bid‘ah (innovation).
Shaykh ‘Abdul ‘Aziz ibn Baz رحمه الله said:
“If someone has missed prayers for many years and then sincerely repents and begins offering prayer regularly, he is not required to make up the missed prayers.
Requiring that may discourage people from repentance altogether.
The one repenting must now strictly observe Salah and increase in Nawafil (voluntary prayers).”**
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 994)
❖ What to Do If a Prayer Is Missed Due to Genuine Constraints?
In situations like battle, travel, or unavoidable hardship, one might miss prayers unintentionally. The Shari‘ah provides clear guidance for such cases.
✔ Making Up ‘Asr After Sunset
Sayyiduna Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah رضي الله عنهما narrated:
“On the day of the Battle of Khandaq, Sayyiduna ‘Umar رضي الله عنه came after sunset and said angrily:
‘O Messenger of Allah! I couldn’t pray ‘Asr until the sun had set!’
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
‘By Allah, I too have not prayed ‘Asr yet.’
Then we went to Butḥān, made wudu, and offered ‘Asr after sunset, followed by Maghrib.”
(Bukhari: 596; Muslim: 136)
✔ Even when a prayer is missed, it should be offered in its correct sequence.
✔ Making Up Four Missed Prayers in Sequence
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud رضي الله عنه narrated:
“On the day of Khandaq, the disbelievers kept the Prophet ﷺ so occupied that four prayers were missed until part of the night passed.
The Prophet ﷺ then ordered Bilal to give the Adhan.
He offered Dhuhr, then ‘Asr, then Maghrib, and finally ‘Isha — each with Iqamah.”**
(Tirmidhi: 177; Al-Nasa’i: 623)
✔ From this, it is clear that for missed prayers, offering them with Adhan and Iqamah is recommended (mustahabb).
✔ Preserving the order is part of prophetic practice.
❖ Praying in Order and Niyyah Differences
A question to Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله:
“If someone forgets to pray ‘Asr and remembers it after Maghrib, can he offer ‘Asr after Maghrib?”
He replied:
“Yes. The Prophet ﷺ missed four prayers during the Battle of Khandaq and later offered them in sequence.
If a person enters the masjid and the congregation is offering Maghrib, he may join them with the intention of ‘Asr, and complete what remains after the Imam’s salām.
The Imam’s and follower’s intentions being different is permissible if the actions are the same.”
(Fatawa Islamiyyah, Vol. 1, p. 604)
✔ Different intentions between Imam and follower are valid if actions match.
✔ Order of Salah is to be observed if possible.
❖ Ruling on Prayer in Regions with Lengthy Days and Nights
In regions near the North or South Poles, day or night can extend for weeks. How should people observe prayer times?
✔ Hadith About the Dajjal’s Time and Prayer Estimation
Sayyiduna Nawwas ibn Sam‘an رضي الله عنه narrated:
The Prophet ﷺ said about the Dajjal’s appearance:
① One day will be like a year,
② One day like a month,
③ One day like a week,
④ The rest will be like normal days.
The Companions asked:
“O Messenger of Allah! On the day that will be like a year, should we pray only one prayer?”
The Prophet ﷺ replied:
“No. Estimate the times and offer five daily prayers accordingly.”
(Muslim: 2937)
✔ This Hadith establishes that in regions where prayer times are unclear or extremely extended, prayers must be offered based on estimated intervals.
✅ Key Conclusions:
❖ Qada-e-Umri has no evidence in Sunnah — it is a bid‘ah.
❖ Missed prayers due to genuine reasons must be made up in proper sequence.
❖ Iqamah and Adhan are recommended even for Qada prayers.
❖ In lengthy day/night regions, estimation is a valid method.
❖ Tawbah and maintaining current prayer is essential; not retroactive compensation.
