How to Plan Qada (Make-Up) Prayers: 6 Prayers a Day in the Hanafi School
Qada prayer means performing a prayer later that was not performed in its time. Many people feel a heavy burden because of prayers they missed in the past and do not know where to begin. This article explains the framework Diyanet has set out on qada and a practical method for turning it into a manageable plan. For details such as your personal debt calculation and intention, you should consult Diyanet.
For information only. For religious rulings, consult the Diyanet (Alo 190 Fatwa Line).
Which prayers are made up?
According to Diyanet's Religious Affairs High Council, the obligatory (fard) parts of the five daily prayers not performed in their time, together with the wajib Witr prayer, are made up. For this reason, in the Hanafi school the daily make-up unit is 6 prayers: 2 rak'ahs of Fajr, 4 of Dhuhr, 4 of Asr, 3 of Maghrib, 4 of Isha as obligatory, and 3 rak'ahs of Witr. Since Witr is regarded as sunnah in the Shafi'i school, the daily unit in that school is 5. There is no make-up for the Tarawih prayer.
Prayers that could not be performed during days of menstruation and postnatal bleeding are not made up; fasts that could not be kept on those days, however, are made up.
The principle is to pray at the first opportunity
According to Diyanet, the principle is that prayers left to qada be made up at the first opportunity. Make-up prayers can also be performed after Isha, and one should repent and seek forgiveness. A busy work schedule is not an excuse for postponing prayer; in a case of necessity, combining (Dhuhr with Asr, Maghrib with Isha) is permissible as a last resort.
Pay attention to makruh times
According to the Hanafi criterion, make-up prayers are not performed while the sun is rising, at its zenith and while it is setting. So do not schedule your make-up plan during these times. In the Shafi'i school, make-up prayers can be performed during these times. For daily times, see the makruh times table on the province pages and the guide to makruh times (times when prayer is disliked).
Can voluntary prayers be performed while owing make-up prayers?
According to the Hanafi school, a person who owes make-up prayers may perform the rawatib sunnahs, tahajjud and duha. According to the Shafi'i school, however, voluntary prayers are not permissible until the make-up prayers are finished. Among the acts of worship Diyanet recommends for Kandil nights (blessed nights) is also performing make-up or voluntary prayers.
How do you make a realistic plan?
- Estimate your debt: for how many years or months did you not pray? If you are not sure, consult Diyanet (Alo 190) on the calculation and intention.
- Multiply by the daily count: for the Hanafi school, 6 prayers per day.
- Choose a daily target: for example, adding one make-up prayer next to each prayer (5 make-ups a day), or starting with 2 a day and increasing over time.
- Tie the plan to a habit: for example, one make-up prayer after the sunnah of each prayer.
- Set yourself a timeframe, but do not be harsh. The hadith stating that the most beloved of deeds to Allah is the one that is continuous, even if small (Bukhari, Riqaq 18; Muslim, Musafirin 218), can be the measure of this plan.
| Make-up debt (6 prayers/day) | 2 make-ups a day | 5 make-ups a day | 10 make-ups a day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year (2,190 prayers) | about 3 years | about 15 months | about 7 months |
| 3 years (6,570 prayers) | about 9 years | about 3.6 years | about 22 months |
| 5 years (10,950 prayers) | about 15 years | about 6 years | about 3 years |
| 10 years (21,900 prayers) | about 30 years | about 12 years | about 6 years |
The table is an informational calculation; as the daily number of make-ups rises, the time needed shortens. The calculation assumes 6 prayers for each day.
Do not confuse it with make-up fasts and fidyah
Make-up prayers and make-up fasts are separate matters, and it is better to track them with separate counters. Fasts not kept because of menstruation and postnatal bleeding are made up; for a deliberately broken fast, the kaffarah (expiation) is a separate ruling and differs from making it up. You need to ask Diyanet which of these applies to your situation.
For the elderly or chronically ill with no hope of recovery, fidyah is given in place of fasting. According to the TDV Encyclopedia of Islam, fidyah is the amount of one day's sustenance for a poor person, that is, the amount of fitrah. Diyanet announces the fitrah and fidyah amounts every year. A practice of fidyah for prayer (isqat al-salat) has been regarded as permissible by Hanafis; however, it is also noted that it has no basis in the Quran and the Sunnah. On these matters, be sure to consult Diyanet before making an individual decision.
Keep the plan in writing
Writing your make-up plan on paper or in a notes app on your phone, and marking how many make-ups you pray each day, makes progress visible. You do not have to share this record with anyone; the make-up debt is a personal and private matter. The plan can flex on days when you are ill or traveling; what matters is keeping up consistency and keeping in mind the principle of making up prayers at the first opportunity.
Consistency and morale
The make-up debt is a personal and private matter; instead of comparing yourself with others, it is more sustainable to use hopeful language such as "this many a day until my debt is finished." Do not let the size of the number discourage you: a year's debt is finished in a year with 6 extra make-ups a day, and in about half a year with 12 extra make-ups a day. If you miss a day, do not abandon the plan; pick up the next day where you left off.
Frequently asked questions
How many prayers are made up per day?
According to the Hanafi school, 6 prayers are made up per day (the 5 obligatory prayers and the wajib Witr). Since Witr is regarded as sunnah in the Shafi'i school, the daily unit is 5.
At what times are make-up prayers not performed?
According to the Hanafi criterion, make-up prayers are not performed during the makruh times: while the sun is rising and setting (about 40-50 minutes) and for about 10 minutes before Dhuhr.
Is there a make-up for Tarawih?
According to Diyanet's explanation, there is no make-up for the Tarawih prayer.
Sources
- Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Hangi namazlar kaza edilir?
- Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Hangi vakitlerde kaza ve nafile namaz kılınmaz?
- Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, İş sebebiyle öğle, ikindi ve akşam namazları kılınmayarak…
- Diyanet Din İşleri Yüksek Kurulu, Mübarek gün ve geceler ile kandillerin İslam'daki yeri nedir?
For information only. For religious rulings, consult the Diyanet (Alo 190 Fatwa Line).
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