Qada Salah: The Islamic Ruling on Missed Prayers and How to Make Them Up

Missing a Salah without a valid excuse is one of the major sins in Islam. However, for those who have missed prayers — whether in the past or recently — the obligation does not simply disappear. Islam provides a path to rectify this through Qada (making up missed prayers).

Is Making Up Missed Prayers Obligatory?

Yes — making up missed prayers is Fard (compulsory).

The Prophet ﷺ said:

"Whoever forgets a Salah or sleeps through it, its expiation is to pray it when he remembers it."

— Sahih Bukhari and Muslim

The scholars of all four madhabs are unanimous: a missed Fard Salah remains a debt upon a person until it is made up. No amount of voluntary prayers substitutes for the missed obligatory ones.

---

What Prayers Can Be Made Up as Qada?

The following prayers must be made up if missed:

• Fajr (2 Fard)
• Zuhr (4 Fard)
• Asr (4 Fard)
• Maghrib (3 Fard)
• Isha (4 Fard)
• Witr (3 Rakat — Wajib according to the Hanafi school, and therefore also requires Qada)

Sunnah prayers do NOT require Qada — with one exception: the Sunnah of Fajr (2 rakat before Fajr Fard). If Fajr was missed entirely, its Sunnah should be made up along with the Fard.

---

How to Perform Qada Salah

The Intention

Make the intention for the specific missed prayer. For example: "I am making Qada for the Fajr Salah I missed on Monday."

If you have many missed prayers and cannot remember the exact days, make a general intention: "I am making Qada for the first Fajr prayer that remains upon me."

The Method

Qada prayers are performed exactly like the regular prayer with one difference: in prayers that are normally recited silently (Zuhr, Asr), you recite silently in Qada as well. In prayers normally recited aloud (Fajr, Maghrib, Isha), you also recite aloud in Qada.

Timing

Qada prayers can be performed at any time — including the three prohibited times (sunrise, midday, and sunset) if the Qada is being made for the corresponding time prayer.

---

The Ruling on Years of Missed Prayers (Umri Qada)

Many people come to Islam properly in later life — or begin practising after years of neglect — and have accumulated years of missed prayers. This is known as Umri Qada (lifetime makeup prayers).

Is It Obligatory?

Yes. The obligation to make up missed Fard prayers does not expire. Scholars across all four schools are agreed on this.

How to Approach It

The ulama advise:

1. Calculate honestly — estimate how many years of prayers you missed and multiply accordingly
2. Begin immediately — start making up prayers without delay
3. Consistency — make up at least a few each day alongside your regular prayers
4. Don't be overwhelmed — Allah is Al-Ghafur (Most Forgiving). Begin with sincere repentance and consistent effort

A Practical Method

Many scholars recommend:

• After every Fard prayer, perform one or two Qada prayers
• For example: after praying Zuhr, also make up an old Zuhr and an old Asr
• This way, without feeling burdened, you systematically clear your Qada

---

The Ruling on Dying with Outstanding Qada

If a person dies with outstanding Qada prayers:

• They bear the sin of having missed those prayers
• Some scholars say a person may appoint someone to give Fidyah (monetary expiation) on their behalf — though Qada by proxy (someone else praying on behalf of the deceased) is not valid according to the Hanafi school

The best approach is to make up all missed prayers during one's lifetime.

---

Sincere Repentance First

Before or alongside making up missed prayers, make sincere Tawbah (repentance):

1. Regret — feel genuine remorse for having missed the prayers
2. Stop — immediately begin praying all five daily prayers on time
3. Resolve — commit to never missing prayers again
4. Make up — begin the Qada process immediately

Allah says:

"Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves."

— Surah Al-Baqarah (2:222)

---

Conclusion

Missed prayers are a serious responsibility, but they are not hopeless. With sincere repentance, consistent effort, and the mercy of Allah, every missed prayer can be returned to your record.

Learn the complete rules of Salah, its conditions, and its obligations in our Farz Uloom Course.