Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamu Alaikum,

There are certain times in a day when we are not supposed to offer prayers. But if someone has overslept or has forgotten to pray a certain obligatory (Fardh) prayer, can he/she pray it as soon as he wakes up or remembers it , even if it is the time that we are not supposed to offer the prayer? Please give me the correct & authentic Hadith relating this.

Jazak Allah Khair,

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Prohibited times of prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: There are certain times in a day when we are not supposed to offer prayers.

Abu Sa'eed reported that the Prophet (saws), said, "There is no prayer after the morning prayer until the sun rises."

Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

'Amr ibn 'Abbas related that he said, "O Prophet of Allah, inform me about the prayers." He said, "Pray the morning prayer, and then abstain from prayer until sunrise and the sun has completely risen, for it rises between the horns of Shaitaan. That is when the unbelievers prostrate to it. Then pray, as your prayer will be witnessed and attended to until the shadow of a spear becomes less than its length. At that time stop praying, for at that time the hell-fire is fed with fuel. When the shade comes, you may pray, for your prayer will be witnessed and attended (to by Angels) until you pray the afternoon prayer. Then abstain from praying until the sun sets, for its sets between the horns of Shaitaan, and that is when the unbelievers make prostrations to it."

Related by Ahmad and Muslim.

In light of the above absolutely clear guidance of the Messenger of Allah(saws), the believers are prohibited from offering their prayers during these times:

1.      In the morning when the sun is seen rising from the eastern horizon until it has completely risen.

2.      When the sun is approaching its zenith at mid-day, until it has moved a little west.

3.      In the evening when the sun is seen setting in the horizon until it has completely set.

Your Question: But if someone has overslept or has forgotten to pray a certain obligatory (Fardh) prayer, can he/she pray it as soon as he wakes up or remembers it , even if it is the time that we are not supposed to offer the prayer? Please give me the correct & authentic Hadith relating this.
Dear and beloved brother in Islam, Shariah Law dictates that unless and until one is unconscious, or insane, or unintentionally slept through a prayer time, or completely forgot and the prayer time elapsed….it is absolutely obligatory and duty unto the believer that he/she offer his/her prayer at its due and appointed time.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 103:

Indeed the Salaat is a prescribed duty that should be performed by the believers at (their) appointed times.

Whoever sleeps through or has forgotten to pray a certain prayer should pray it when he wakes up or remembers the prayer. Abu Qatadah related that sleeping through the prayer time was mentioned to the Prophet (saws) and he said, "There is no negligence in sleep, but negligence occurs while one is awake. If one of you forgets a prayer, or sleeps through its time, then he should pray it when he remembers it."

Related by an-Nasa'i and at-Tirmidhi.

Anas related that the Prophet (saws) said, "Whoever forgets a prayer should pray it when he remembers it, and there is no expiation for it save that."

Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.

If one has overslept through a prayer time or (Allah forbid) completely forgotten an obligatory prayer and remembers it only at a time when prayer is prohibited, then one should wait until the prohibited time of prayer has passed and only then offer their missed prayer.

Reported Imran ibn Husain: "We went with the Messenger of Allah (saws) on a journey during the night. When the last portion of the night came, we became tired and fell asleep. None amongst us woke up until we felt the heat of the sun. Some of us tried hurriedly to purify ourselves. The Prophet (saws) ordered us to be calm. Then he (saws) commanded us to ride on. When the sun has completely risen the Messenger of Allah (saws) commanded us to dismount and we made ablution (in preparation for prayer). The Messenger of Allah (saws) then ordered Bilal to make the call to prayer, and then prayed two rak'ah before the (obligatory) morning prayer. Then the Messenger of Allah (saws) led us in the obligatory morning (fajr) prayer in congregation.”

Related by Ahmad.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan