Making Up Missed Prayers: What the Four Schools Say

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem. All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet, his family, his companions, and all who follow the truth. This post explains the rulings on making up missed prayers (qadha) according to the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools. It shares the proofs they rely on. # What is Qadha? Qadha means doing an act of worship after its set time has passed. Imam as-Subki, a Shafi'i scholar, described it as performing all or part of an action outside its proper time. # What the Four Schools Say - **Hanafi:** Imam Badruddin al-'Ayni stated that if someone left a prayer because of sin or carelessness, it's mandatory to make it up by consensus. - **Maliki:** Imam al-Maazari said that the well-known position among jurists is that whoever deliberately misses a prayer until its time ends must make it up. - **Shafi'i:** Imam an-Nawawi mentioned the unanimous agreement of reputable scholars that one who skips a prayer intentionally must make it up. - **Hanbali:** Imam Ibn Qudama said Muslims have no disagreement that the person who misses a prayer must make it up. Imam Ibn Nasr al-Marwazi also noted no known difference of opinion except a narration from Hasan al-Basri. # The Evidence # 1. The Quran Verse Allah says: "Establish prayer" (Quran 20:14). Imam al-Qurtubi explained that this command is general and doesn't differentiate between praying on time or after, so it implies obligation. (Note: this doesn't allow delaying prayers intentionally-it means the duty remains even if one sins by missing the time.) Hafiz Ibn Hajar compared it to a debt: the obligation stays until you fulfill it, like someone who breaks a fast in Ramadan must make it up though they bear the sin. # 2. The Hadith About Forgetting The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever forgets a prayer should pray it when he remembers, for Allah says: '...and establish prayer for My remembrance'" (Sahih Muslim). Scholars said if making up is required for someone who forgot (and is excused), then the one who intentionally missed it is even more required to do so. The Prophet himself made up prayers after the Battle of the Trench when he was delayed, not due to forgetfulness or sleep, but because of being busy. This shows qadha is necessary. # 3. The Debt to Allah The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The debt owed to Allah is more deserving to be paid" (Sahih al-Bukhari). Imam as-Subki used this as proof that qadha is obligatory, since missed prayers are a debt. # 4. Analogy to Fasting Imam an-Nawawi cited a hadith where the Prophet ordered someone who intentionally broke his fast during Ramadan to make it up, along with expiation. Imam al-Qurtubi added that scholars agree a deliberately missed fast must be made up, and prayer has the same ruling. # 5. The Initial Command Imam Ibn al-Mulaqin explained that the obligation to pray comes from the first command, and the time passing doesn't remove it-it remains a debt until performed. The Prophet's making up 'Asr after the sun set during the battle proves this. # Important Note Making up prayers doesn't erase the sin of missing them on purpose. Hafiz az-Zahabi said the majority hold that qadha is required but the sin remains. Imam al-Baghawi warned that one who deliberately misses a prayer doesn't become a disbeliever unless he denies its obligation, but he must hurry to make it up. In short, all four madhabs agree: making up missed prayers is mandatory. The proofs are clear. Qadha is a debt we must repay before the Day of Judgment. May Allah accept the efforts of all who shared this knowledge and have mercy on them and all Muslims. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Five prayers Allah has prescribed. If someone perfects their wudu, prays them on time, completes the bowing and khushu', Allah promises forgiveness. Whoever doesn't, there is no promise-if He wills, He forgives, if He wills, He punishes" (Abu Dawud).