What to Do If a Prayer Is Missed Due to Sleep?

Hadith on Missing Prayer Due to Sleep​

Narrated by Abdullah bin Abi Rabah from Abu Qatadah (رضي الله عنه):
In a long narration mentioning sleep before prayer, it is stated:

"Then Bilal (رضي الله عنه) called the Adhan for prayer, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performed two Rak'ahs (Sunnah), followed by the Fajr prayer. He did exactly as he did every day."

(Reported by Muslim: 281)

Key Lessons from the Hadith​

➊ If a Prayer Is Missed Due to Sleep, It Should Be Performed as Soon as One Wakes Up​

• The moment a person realizes that they have missed a prayer due to sleep, they should pray it immediately.
• This follows the regular pattern of the prayer without making any modifications.

➋ Adhan Should Be Given If the Congregation Is Being Held​

• If a group missed a prayer due to sleep and intends to pray in congregation, then an Adhan should be given before offering the prayer.
• However, if the Adhan was already given earlier, it is not necessary to repeat it.

➌ Sunnah Prayers Can Be Performed Before the Missed Fardh Prayer​

• This Hadith confirms that Sunnah Mu’akkadah (emphasized Sunnah prayers) can be made up before the missed obligatory prayer.
• However, if one skips Sunnah due to urgency, it is not sinful.

Other Relevant Hadith on Prayer Timing and Combining Prayers​

Narrated by Jabir (رضي الله عنه):
Describing the Prophet’s (ﷺ) Hajj, the narrator mentions:

"Then the Prophet (ﷺ) called the Adhan and prayed Dhuhr. After that, he gave the Iqamah and prayed Asr. He did not offer any prayer in between them."

(Reported by Muslim: 1218)

Narrated by Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):
"When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Muzdalifah, he combined Maghrib and Isha prayers, praying Maghrib as three Rak’ahs and Isha as two Rak’ahs, with a separate Iqamah for each but no prayer in between them."

(Reported by Bukhari: 1673, Muslim: 1288)

Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنهما):
"The Prophet (ﷺ) performed both prayers with a single Iqamah."

(Reported by Muslim: 1288, Nasb al-Raya by Hafiz Zayla'i: 3/69)

Key Lessons from These Hadith​

➍ One Adhan Can Be Sufficient for Multiple Prayers​

• If multiple prayers are being combined, a single Adhan can suffice, but a separate Iqamah should be given for each prayer.
• Example:
  • If Dhuhr and Asr are being prayed together, one Adhan is given at Dhuhr time, and each prayer has a separate Iqamah.

➎ Combining Prayers in Travel Is Allowed​

• A traveler is permitted to combine prayers for ease.
• Example:
  • Dhuhr and Asr can be combined.
  • Maghrib and Isha can be combined with one Adhan and two Iqamahs.

➏ Shortening (Qasr) of Prayers While Traveling​

• Travelers should shorten their obligatory prayers:
  • Dhuhr, Asr, and Isha → 2 Rak’ahs each instead of 4.
  • Maghrib remains 3 Rak’ahs.
  • Nafl (voluntary) prayers are not obligatory for travelers.

What to Do If One Misses a Prayer Due to Sleep?​

1. Pray the missed prayer as soon as you wake up.
2. If praying in congregation, give the Adhan (if not already given).
3. Perform Sunnah prayers before the Fardh prayer if applicable.
4. Pray the Fardh prayer exactly as it is usually performed.

[This content is derived from the book Diya-ul-Islam Fi Sharh al-Ilmam Bi Ahadith al-Ahkam by Sheikh Taqi al-Din Abi al-Fath, translated by Maulana Mahmood Ahmad Ghaznfar.]