Definitions of Ada, Qada and Wajib-ul-I’adah

Carrying out commandments within Shari’ah-declared specific timing is called Ada. Carrying out commandments after the Shari’ah-declared specific timing has ended is called Qada. If there is some fault in carrying out a commandment, repeating that act of worship to remove the fault is called I’adah. If Takbeer-e-Tahreemah is uttered within the specific time, Salah would not become Qada; it is still Ada. (Durr-e-Mukhtar, vol. 2, pp. 627-632)

But in the case of Fajr, Jumu’ah, and both Eid Salah, it is necessary to perform Salaam (of Salah) within the specific time; otherwise, Salah will not be valid. (Bahar-e-Shari’at, pp. 701, vol. 1)

To miss Salah without a Shar'i reason is a major sin. It is Fard to perform it as Qada and repent of it with the sincerity of the heart. By means of repentance or an accepted Hajj, the sin of delay (in offering Salah) will be forgiven, إِنْ شَاءَ اللهُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ.

(Durr-e-Mukhtar, vol. 2, pp. 626)

Repentance will only be valid if one offers Qada of the missed Salah. Repentance without performing Qada is not repentance because the Salah which he was required to offer is still unoffered. And how can repentance be valid without refraining from sin?

(Rad-dul-Muhtar, vol. 2, pp. 627)

Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas رضى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَنْهُمَا stated that the Beloved Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم said, ‘The one who repents without giving up sins is like the one who jokes with Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.’

(Shu'ab-ul-Iman, vol. 5, pp. 436, Hadith 7178)

What, if anyone forgets to offer Salah?

The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالَى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّم said, 'If anyone misses his Salah due to sleep or forgetfulness, he should offer it when he recalls, as it would be the time of that Salah (for him).'

(Sahih Muslim, pp. 346, Hadith 684)

Missing Salah by chance

It is stated in Fatawa Razaviyyah:

If a person thinks that he will miss Salah in case of going to sleep at a certain time, it is not permissible for him to go to sleep in this situation. However, if there is a trustworthy person to wake him, he can go to sleep.

If a person habitually wakes up within the time of Salah, in case of going to sleep at a certain time, but he could not wake up some day by chance, he will not be a sinner.

Method of offering Qada Salah of lifetime (Hanafi)

There are 20 Rak’aat of Qada Salah in a day: Two Rak’aat Fard of Fajr, four of Zuhr, four of ‘Asr, three of Maghrib, four of ‘Isha and three Rak’aat of Witr. Make an intention like this: I am offering the very first Fajr Salah I missed. A similar intention may be made for every missed Salah. If one is to offer a large number of missed Salah, it is permissible for him to avail the following relaxations:

1. One may utter Tasbihaat in Ruku and Sujood one time instead of سُبْحَنَ رَبِّي الأعلى and سُبْحْنَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ three times. However, he must always make sure in all types of Salah that he starts uttering the سين of سبحن having completely bent for Ruku and that he begins to lift his head up from Ruku having uttered the مِيم of عَظِيم. Similar care should be taken in Sajdah.

2. One may utter سُبْحْنَ اللهِ three times in the 3rd and 4th Rak'aat of Fard Salah instead of reciting Surah Al-Fatihah, but he should remember that Surah Al-Fatihah and a Surah must be recited in all three Rak'aat of Witr.

3. In the last Qa'dah, one should perform Salaam having uttered just اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَآلِهِ after Tashahhud, التحيات, without reciting the remaining Salat-'Alan-Nabi and Du'a.

4. One may utter just رَبِّ اغْفِرْلِی one time or three times instead of the Du'a of Qunoot in the third Rak'at of Witr after uttering اللهُ أَكْبَرُ.

(Summarised from: Fatawa Razawiyyah referenced, vol. 8, pp. 157)

Remember! Never make a habit of offering daily Salah with these relaxations (except for point no. 2 mentioned above). Offer daily Salah, fulfilling Sunnah and Mustahab acts in addition to Fard and Wajib ones.

What to do if two Sunan of Fajr are missed?

If there is a risk of missing the congregational Salah of Fajr in case of offering Sunan of Fajr, one should join the congregational Salah, missing the Sunan Salah. But offering the missed Sunan Salah after the Salaam (of Fard Rak’aat) is not permissible. It is Mustahab to offer it 20 minutes after sunrise but before Dahwa Kubra.      

Repeating the Salah of a lifetime

If there is some fault or disliked act in somebody’s Salah, it is good for him to repeat all the prayers of his lifetime. If there is no fault, repeating the Salah is not advisable. However, if he still wants to repeat, he should not offer such Salah after Fajr and ‘Asr. A Surah should also be recited after Surah Al-Fatihah in all Rak’aat. In Witr, after reciting Du’a of Qunoot and performing Qa’dah in the third Rak’at, he should add one more Rak’at to make four in all. (Fatawa ‘Aalamgiri, vol. 1, pp. 124)

What to do if two Sunan of Fajr are missed?

If there is a risk of missing the congregational Salah of Fajr in case of offering Sunan of Fajr, one should join the congregational Salah, missing the Sunan Salah. But offering the missed Sunan Salah after the Salaam (of Fard Rak’aat) is not permissible. It is Mustahab to offer it 20 minutes after sunrise but before Dahwa Kubra.

Conclusion

In summary, missed Salah (Qada) is a serious matter in Islam, and every Muslim should make a sincere effort to complete all missed prayers with proper repentance. This guide explained the meanings of Ada, Qada, and I’adah, the rulings on missed Salah, and the correct Hanafi method for offering lifetime Qada prayers. By following these principles with sincerity, discipline and consistency, one can compensate for past shortcomings and strengthen his connection with Allah Almighty.

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