An Evaluation of Making Up Missed Prayers (Qada) in Islam from a Qur'anic Perspective

In Islam, prayer is one of the most important acts of worship made obligatory by Allah upon the المؤمنين (believers). The obligatory prayers are acts of worship that must be performed at specific times, and these times are clearly indicated in the Qur'an. However, there are differing views in society regarding whether missed prayers can be made up (qada). In this article, the issue of making up missed prayers will be examined in light of the Qur'an and evaluated based on relevant verses.
According to the Qur'an, prayer is a time-bound obligation. In Surah An-Nisa (4:103), Allah states that prayer has been prescribed at fixed times. Additionally, in Surah Al-Ma‘arij (70:23), it is emphasized that prayer should be maintained consistently and throughout life within its appointed times. Prayer holds such a central place in a believer’s life that even in difficult circumstances such as war, it is not to be neglected. In Surah An-Nisa (4:101–102), it is made clear that prayer should not be abandoned even during battle. This demonstrates that prayer is not merely a ritual but an integral part of a المؤمن’s life.
However, the Qur'an does not contain any explicit statement regarding the making up (qada) of missed prayers. The concept of “qada prayer” is not directly mentioned in the Qur'an. In this context, it can be argued that prayers not performed in their proper time are not required to be performed later. A ruling that is not clearly stated in the Qur'an cannot be considered binding in Islam. If Allah had intended for missed prayers to be made up later, this would have been explicitly stated in the Qur'an.
For example, the making up of missed fasts is clearly commanded in the Qur'an. However, there is no similar ruling regarding prayer. This distinction is significant and suggests that the two acts of worship are treated differently in terms of their time-related obligations.
Prayer is a mandatory act of worship that is not left entirely to personal discretion. If a person deliberately neglects prayer without a valid excuse, they are committing a sin. This is because prayer is an obligation defined by Allah. However, this does not necessarily mean that missed prayers must be made up afterward. If a person misses a prayer intentionally, forgetfully, or due to sleep, once the prescribed time has passed, that prayer no longer retains its obligatory status in the same way, since its obligation is tied to a specific time.
Some hadiths state that missed prayers should be made up. However, the authenticity and authority of such narrations may be questioned. In Islam, it is essential to refer primarily to the Qur'an when deriving rulings. The Qur'an is the fundamental and complete source of guidance, and the Prophet Muhammad would not convey rulings that contradict or are absent from the Book of Allah. Therefore, any ruling not found in the Qur'an cannot be considered religiously binding.
The Qur'an describes itself as complete and sufficient. In Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:44), it is stated that people are responsible for the Qur'an. In Surah Al-Qiyamah (75:19), Allah emphasizes that He Himself explains the Qur'an. Furthermore, in Surah Al-An‘am (6:114–115), it is stated that the religion has been completed through the Qur'an. In this context, deriving religious rulings from sources outside the Qur'an may be seen as adding to the religion.
Therefore, claiming that making up missed prayers is obligatory does not align with a strictly Qur'an-based perspective. Since there is no explicit ruling in the Qur'an regarding the making up of missed prayers, such interpretations are not directly grounded in the Qur'anic text.
While neglecting prayer is a sin, there is no clear command in the Qur'an that missed prayers must be performed later. As a result, interpretations that obligate qada prayers may be viewed as a deviation from the core teachings of Islam from this perspective.
When Muslims understand the Qur'an correctly, they can free themselves from unfounded beliefs and misconceptions, turning instead toward a more authentic understanding of Islam. In conclusion, based on the teachings of the Qur'an, prayer is an act of worship that must be performed within its prescribed times, and once that time has passed, it is not required to be made up later. In Islam, the making up of an act of worship is only valid if it is explicitly stated in the Qur'an.