Whoever Sleeps Through The Prayer Time Or Forgets To Pray (Salāh) – What Should Be Done?

Whoever Sleeps Through The Prayer Time Or Forgets To Pray (Salāh) – What Should Be Done?

Whoever inadvertently sleeps through the prayer, or forgets to pray on time is obligated to make up the prayer – and there is no sin upon him because the pen is lifted for the one who forgets until he remembers and for the for who is asleep up until he awakes. As for the one who deliberately misses the prayers, then he is a major sinner under the threat of Allah’s punishment – upon him is to repent to Allah, seek His forgiveness and not repeat this terrible sin.

Abu Hurairah reported: When the Messenger of Allah (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) returned from the Battle of Khaibar, he travelled during the night. When we felt sleep, he halted for rest. Addressing Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) he said: ‘Keep vigilance at night for us.’

But Bilal who was leaning against the saddle of his mount was overtaken by sleep. Neither the Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) nor Bilal nor any of his Companions (Allah be pleased with them) woke up till the sunshine struck them (in their faces). The Messenger of Allah (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) got up before everyone. He was embarrassed and said: ‘O Bilal!’

He replied: ‘The one who detained your soul [with sleep] also detained my soul [with sleep] O Messenger of Allah, my parents be sacrificed for you.’

Then they drove their mounts a little distance. The Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) made wudoo and commanded Bilal to make the adhān for the prayer. The Prophet (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) led them in the Fajr prayer. When he finished prayer, he said:

مَنْ نَسِيَ صَلاَةً فَلْيُصَلِّهَا إِذَا ذَكَرَهَا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى قَالَ أَقِمِ الصَّلاَةَ لِلذِّكْرَى

‘If anyone forgets to pray, he should observe it when he remembers it, for Allah has said (in the Qur’an): ‘Establish prayer for my remembrance’.’ (Abu Dawood, no. 435, saheeh – Al-Albāni)

In a narration, Abu Qatādah (Allah be pleased with him) said: “Bilal (Allah be pleased with him) called the adhān for prayer and they offered two rakʿahs [of Sunnah] for Fajr and then offered the Fajr prayer. And then mounted their riding beasts.” (Abu Dawood, no. 437, saheeh – Al-Albāni) In a situation where a person realises the Fajr prayer time has not expired but is close to ending, then he should leave the Sunnah and pray the Fard Prayer of Fajr because that is obligatory – that is if he fears that by praying the Sunnah, the time of Fajr will expire.

The Messenger (salallāhu ʿalaihi wasallam) also said: “If anyone forgets a prayer or oversleeps, he should observe it when he remembers it—there is no expiation for it except that.” (Abu Dawood, no. 442, saheeh – Al-Albāni)

Abu Khadeejah.