Making Up Missed Prayers After Puberty – Complete Shar‘i Guidance
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
If someone missed prayers after reaching puberty due to laziness or negligence, and now has become regular in prayer, is it necessary to make up those missed prayers? If yes, then how and when should they be performed?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
If a person missed prayers after attaining puberty, there are two possible situations:
◈ The number of missed prayers is small and making them up is easy.
◈ In such a case, it is obligatory (wājib) to make them up.
◈ The person should perform them in order (tartīb) as soon as possible.
◈ The number of missed prayers is very large, and the duration so long that making them up is extremely difficult or practically impossible.
◈ In this case, sincere repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfār) is sufficient.
◈ One should sincerely seek Allah’s pardon and remain steadfast upon performing all future prayers regularly.
◈ During menstruation (ḥayḍ), women are exempted from prayer because it occurs monthly.
◈ If they were required to make up all such missed prayers every month, it would cause great hardship.
◈ Out of mercy, Shariah has granted exemption.
◈ Similarly, in the case of one who missed prayers, if it is possible, he should make them up; if not, repentance suffices.
Wallāhu A‘lam
Source: Qur’an o Hadees Ki Roshni Mein Ahkam o Masail – Volume 01
Question:
If someone missed prayers after reaching puberty due to laziness or negligence, and now has become regular in prayer, is it necessary to make up those missed prayers? If yes, then how and when should they be performed?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā Baʿd!
If a person missed prayers after attaining puberty, there are two possible situations:
① First Situation:
◈ The number of missed prayers is small and making them up is easy.
◈ In such a case, it is obligatory (wājib) to make them up.
◈ The person should perform them in order (tartīb) as soon as possible.
② Second Situation:
◈ The number of missed prayers is very large, and the duration so long that making them up is extremely difficult or practically impossible.
◈ In this case, sincere repentance (tawbah) and seeking forgiveness (istighfār) is sufficient.
◈ One should sincerely seek Allah’s pardon and remain steadfast upon performing all future prayers regularly.
Illustrative Example:
◈ During menstruation (ḥayḍ), women are exempted from prayer because it occurs monthly.
◈ If they were required to make up all such missed prayers every month, it would cause great hardship.
◈ Out of mercy, Shariah has granted exemption.
◈ Similarly, in the case of one who missed prayers, if it is possible, he should make them up; if not, repentance suffices.
Wallāhu A‘lam
