How to Make Up Years of Missed Prayers (Salat)

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم 

How to Make Up Years of Missed Prayers (Salat)

Allah blessed some people with hidayah (guidance) at a later part of their lives, and they started praying. But they have missed years of Salat before that. The responsibility to make up (Qada’) for these missed prayers is a serious matter, but it is not impossible to fulfill.

Here’s how one can approach making up missed prayers:

1. Sincere Repentance (Tawbah)

2. Start with the Current Obligations: From now on, begin consistently performing the five daily prayers, ensuring that no more prayers are missed. This establishes the habit of regular prayer and brings the individual back into a state of spiritual discipline.

3. Plan for Making Up Missed Prayers:  Begin making up (Qada') the missed prayers in addition to performing the current obligatory prayers. Scholars recommend that a person create a schedule for catching up on these prayers and do so consistently over time, e.g. add one or two salat after each obligatory prayer.

Consistency is key. It’s better to create a realistic schedule to stick to rather than overwhelming yourself and burning out. Regular effort is the most important part of catching up on missed prayers.

Never Skip Current Prayers: Continue performing the current obligatory prayers on time and gradually adding Qada' prayers.

Du’a: Regularly ask Allah for strength, forgiveness, and the ability to fulfill this obligation.

Hope and Perseverance: Islam encourages hope and effort. Making up missed prayers is a way to demonstrate your commitment to fulfilling your obligations.

Every step toward making up missed prayers is an act of sincere worship, and Allah is most Merciful and knows of His servants' sincere efforts.

May Allah make it easy all our affairs. Aameen.

 

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