How To Pray Missed Salāh

Life gets busy, but Salah is your anchor. If you’ve ever missed a prayer, know that Islam gives you a beautiful chance to make it up sincerely and correctly. At Madrasat El Quran, we guide you step by step on how to pray missed ṣalāh with clarity, compassion, and authentic knowledge.
Whether it’s one prayer or many, it’s never too late to reconnect with your Lord.

Should I Pray The Salah I Missed First?

Yes, It is Sunnah (recommended) to pray missed Salah before the current one, if time allows.

1. The General Rule

If you have missed one or more obligatory prayers, you should pray them in the correct order before the current prayer (if there’s time).

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps and misses it, let him pray it when he remembers. There is no expiation for it other than this.”
“من نسي صلاة أو نام عنها فكفارتها أن يصليها إذا ذكرها، لا كفارة لها إلا ذلك.”

(Sahih Muslim, Hadith 684)

This shows that making up missed prayers (Qada’) is mandatory when remembered.

“Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.”

  Surah An-Nisa (4:103)

This verse reminds us of the importance of timing, but it also emphasizes fulfilling all obligations even if delayed.

2. When You Should Pray the Current (On-Time) Prayer First

You can pray the current Salah first when:

• The time for the current prayer is almost over, and praying Qada’ first might cause you to miss it.
• You have many missed prayers and don’t remember their order.

In these cases, scholars permit prioritizing the current Salah.

3. Scholarly Opinion (Imam Nawawi)

“Maintaining order (tarteeb) between missed and current prayers is recommended, but not obligatory if time is tight or if many prayers are missed.”

How To Pray Salah You Have Missed?

Missing a prayer (ṣalāh) is a serious matter in Islam, but Allah ﷻ is Most Merciful. If a Muslim misses a prayer unintentionally (due to sleep, forgetfulness, or a valid reason), they are obligated to make it up (Qada’) as soon as they remember.

1. Make a Sincere Intention (Niyyah)

Before starting the prayer, have the intention in your heart to perform the specific missed prayer (e.g. “I am praying Qada’ of Fajr”).
You don’t have to say it out loud, intention is in the heart.

2. Perform the Prayer in the Same Format

Pray the missed salah exactly the same way you would if you were praying it on time:

• Same number of rak‘ahs.
• Same recitation.
• Same postures.
• No need for additional steps or modifications.
  

3. Maintain the Order (If Multiple Prayers Are Missed)

If you missed several prayers, it’s preferred to pray them in order. For example:

• Start with Fajr → Dhuhr → Asr → Maghrib → Isha
• If you missed Dhuhr and Asr, don’t pray Asr first unless Dhuhr time has passed and Asr is about to end.
  

4. Do Not Delay Qada’ Intentionally

Once you remember or regain the ability to pray, you must make up the missed prayer immediately. Delaying it without a valid reason is a sin.

5. Qada’ Can Be Prayed Anytime (Except Makruh Times)

You can perform Qada’ prayers any time of the day or night, except during the three prohibited times:

• After Fajr until sunrise.
• When the sun is at its peak (just before Dhuhr).
• After Asr until sunset.

Does Allah Forgive Missed Prayers?

Yes, If There’s Sincere Repentance and a True Intention to Make Them Up

Islam is a religion of mercy, not despair. While deliberately missing prayer is a major sin, Allah’s forgiveness is always open to those who turn back to Him sincerely.

1. Types of Missed Prayers

a. Unintentional (excused):

• Missed due to sleep, forgetfulness, or temporary mental/emotional state.
• Not sinful, but the prayer must be made up (Qada’) once you remember or are able.
  

Prophet ﷺ said:

“Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps and misses it, let him pray it when he remembers. There is no expiation for it other than this.”

“من نسي صلاة أو نام عنها فليصلها إذا ذكرها لا كفارة لها إلا ذلك.”
(Sahih Muslim 684)

b. Deliberate (without valid reason):

• Willfully skipped despite knowing it’s obligatory.
• Considered a major sin in Islam.
  

2. How to Seek Forgiveness for Missed Prayers

a. Sincere Tawbah (Repentance)

Must include:

• Stopping the sin (i.e., committing to regular prayers).
• Regret for missing them.
• Firm intention not to return to this negligence.

b. Making up (Qada’) the Missed Prayers

Islamic scholars agree: if you missed prayers, you should make them up — as many as you reasonably estimate.

It shows seriousness and commitment to your repentance.

3. Allah’s Mercy Is Greater Than Our Sins

Allah says:

“Say, ‘O My servants who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah.”

(Surah Az-Zumar 39:53)

Even if you missed hundreds of prayers, don’t give up. Start small, stay consistent, and know that Allah values your effort.

4. Common Misconceptions

“It’s too late to make them up”

Wrong. As long as you’re alive, you can perform Qada’. Better late than never.

“Tawbah alone is enough”

While Allah can forgive anything, making up missed obligations is the proper Islamic approach.

If You Have Missed Many Prayers And You Do not Even Know How Many You Have Missed, How Should You Perform Missed Prayers or Should You Leave Them As Is?

That’s a very important question and many Muslims face this situation at some point. Here’s a clear, detailed answer with guidance from Islamic scholars, including practical steps to help you take action and not lose hope.

If You’ve Missed Many Prayers and Don’t Know How Many… What Should You Do?

You are still responsible for making up missed prayers (Qada’) even if you don’t know the exact number. But you should not leave them as they are.

Islam encourages sincere effort and repentance, not perfection.

1. Start with Tawbah (Repentance)

Begin by sincerely repenting to Allah for the missed prayers.

“And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.”
وَتُوبُوا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَا ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

 Surah An-Noor (24:31)

2. Estimate a Reasonable Number

If you don’t know how many prayers you missed, make an honest estimation.
For example:

• Did you miss prayers for 6 months? A year? Several years?
• Multiply the average number of daily prayers (5) by the estimated number of days/months/years.
  

Then start working to make them up slowly and consistently.

3. Make a Qada’ Plan

Start praying one missed prayer after each current obligatory prayer. For example:

• After Dhuhr → Pray one missed Dhuhr
• After Asr → Pray one missed Asr
  …and so on.
  

This method is recommended by scholars like Imam Nawawi and is realistic and sustainable.

4. Keep a Log

Create a Qada’ Tracker a notebook, checklist, or app to track your progress. You’ll feel more motivated seeing your efforts.

5. Don’t Delay — Start Now

It’s never too late. Each prayer you make up is a sign of your love for Allah and your commitment to return to Him.

No matter how many prayers you’ve missed what truly matters is the step you take today. Islam is a religion of mercy, and every Qada’ prayer you make is a door reopened between you and Allah.

At Madrasat El Quran, we’re here to guide you with love and simplicity. Whether you need a clear plan, daily motivation, or spiritual support — we’ve got your back.

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