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What is the ruling of someone who is now praying obligatory and sunnah prayers while they missed ten years of their lives without praying, do they have to make these years up?
Question
What is the ruling of someone who is now praying obligatory and sunnah prayers while they missed ten years of their lives without praying, do they have to make these years up?
Answer
Allah commanded those who believe in Him to perform certain actions, which draw them nearer to Him, strengthening their relationship with Him.
Among these are the five daily prayers, which were revealed during the Mi’raj [the Prophet’s ascension to the Heavens].
Regarding their importance Allah says:
“And establish prayer and give zakah and bow with those who bow [in worship and obedience.” [Qur’an 2:43];
“Maintain with care the [obligatory] prayers and [in particular] the middle prayer and stand before Allah, devoutly obedient.” [Qur’an 2:238];
“And those who carefully maintain their prayers.” [Qur’an 23:9]; and Recite, [O Muhammad], what has been revealed to you of the Book and establish prayer. Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing. [Qur’an 29:45]
God the Almighty specified certain times for prayers when He said:
And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer; indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.| [Qur’an 4:103]
Having established this, making up missed prayers is necessary, the Prophet, upon him blessings and peace, said: “Whoever sleeps through a prayer or forgets, let him pray it when he remembers as there is no other expiation for it,” and then he recited the verse, “And perform the prayer for My Remembrance. “ [Qur’an 20:14].”
The concluded ruling
A Muslim must maintain prayers to the best of his ability and perform them at their prescribed times. If he sleeps through a prayer or forgets, he/she must pray it as soon as he remembers.
If a person ceases to pray for a long period, as is the case here, he/she must make up the missed prayers by praying a missed obligatory prayer that corresponds with the one he has set out to pray at that time.
God the Almighty knows best.
