If I am unable to perform the regular voluntary prayer of Zuhr, is it obligatory for me to make it up after the prayer?
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The questioner : This is a message received from the Eastern Region, Al-Khobar, from a listener, T.A.M. He says: “O honorable Shaykh, if I am unable to perform the regular voluntary prayer of Zuhr, is it obligatory for me to make it up after the prayer?”
The Shaykh : The phrasing in his question, “Is it obligatory for me to make it up,” is questionable. This is because saying “Is it obligatory for me to make it up” implies that this regular voluntary prayer is obligatory. However, the regular voluntary prayers are not obligatory; rather, they are a recommended practice (sunnah) that completes the obligatory prayers. Therefore, we say that the correct phrasing is: “If I miss the pre-Zuhr regular voluntary prayer, am I allowed to make it up after the prayer?” The answer to that is: Yes, you may make it up after the prayer. However, if you have prayed the obligatory prayer without having performed the first regular voluntary prayer, then two regular voluntary prayers have accumulated for you: the first and the second. Which one takes precedence? The answer to this is that we say: Begin with the post-Zuhr regular voluntary prayer, then make up the pre-Zuhr regular voluntary prayer. Similarly, if a person misses the regular voluntary prayer of Fajr, the regular voluntary prayer of the Fajr prayer, he should make it up when he has finished the Fajr prayer. If he wishes, he may delay it until the Duha time, but if he fears that he will forget it, it is better for him to pray it after the Fajr prayer than to delay it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit people through you.
Our noble brothers, today’s episode of the program has ended.
The Shaykh : The phrasing in his question, “Is it obligatory for me to make it up,” is questionable. This is because saying “Is it obligatory for me to make it up” implies that this regular voluntary prayer is obligatory. However, the regular voluntary prayers are not obligatory; rather, they are a recommended practice (sunnah) that completes the obligatory prayers. Therefore, we say that the correct phrasing is: “If I miss the pre-Zuhr regular voluntary prayer, am I allowed to make it up after the prayer?” The answer to that is: Yes, you may make it up after the prayer. However, if you have prayed the obligatory prayer without having performed the first regular voluntary prayer, then two regular voluntary prayers have accumulated for you: the first and the second. Which one takes precedence? The answer to this is that we say: Begin with the post-Zuhr regular voluntary prayer, then make up the pre-Zuhr regular voluntary prayer. Similarly, if a person misses the regular voluntary prayer of Fajr, the regular voluntary prayer of the Fajr prayer, he should make it up when he has finished the Fajr prayer. If he wishes, he may delay it until the Duha time, but if he fears that he will forget it, it is better for him to pray it after the Fajr prayer than to delay it.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge, and benefit people through you.
Our noble brothers, today’s episode of the program has ended.