Should I make up missed prayers in Ramadan?
Question · One of the most asked questions about Ramadan
Last week I overslept and missed Fajr twice, and one busy day at work I missed Asr completely. Do I have to make those prayers up, and does missing them affect my fast?
Short answer
Yes, an obligatory prayer that you miss must be made up as soon as you can, in Ramadan or at any other time. Missing a prayer does not cancel your fast, but it is a serious matter.
Detailed answer
Yes. If you miss one of the five obligatory prayers, whether by oversleeping, forgetting or for another reason, you should make it up (qada) as soon as you remember or are able to. This applies in Ramadan and all year round. Voluntary prayers such as Taraweeh do not need to be made up.
What the Quran and Sunnah say
Allah says: "Prayer has been prescribed for the believers at fixed times" (An-Nisa 4:103). The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps through it, its expiation is to pray it when he remembers it" (Bukhari and Muslim).
How to make up a missed prayer
- Pray it with the same number of rakats as the original: for example, 2 for Fajr and 4 for Asr.
- Make the intention that it is the missed prayer, such as "the Fajr I missed today".
- If you missed several, pray them in order where you can, then the current prayer.
- Do not delay: pray it as soon as you are able, without waiting for the same prayer time the next day.
What if I missed prayers on purpose, or for years?
Leaving prayer deliberately is a major sin, and the first step is sincere repentance. Most scholars say the missed prayers must also be made up, for example by adding one missed prayer after each daily prayer until they are done. Some scholars hold that sincere repentance and plenty of voluntary prayer are enough for prayers abandoned deliberately over a long time; if you are unsure, ask a trusted local scholar.
Does it affect my fast?
Your fast is valid in itself, but prayer is far more important than fasting, and the two belong together. Read more in is my fast valid if I do not pray.
Who does not make up prayers?
Women do not make up the prayers they missed during their period or bleeding after childbirth. See making up prayers after a period.
A fresh start
Ramadan is the perfect time to build the habit of praying on time. Check the prayer times for your city and set a reminder for each prayer.
These answers give the general ruling based on the Quran, the Sunnah and the mainstream view of scholars. For a personal situation, ask a qualified scholar you trust.
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