Is Delaying Prayer Beyond Its Time Frame Sinful?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
If a prayer is delayed but performed later, does one avoid sin but lose the full reward of praying on time?
Answer
Yes, delaying a prayer beyond its prescribed time without a valid excuse incurs sin. While making up the prayer (qada) fulfills the obligation and absolves the sin of neglecting the prayer entirely, it does not carry the full reward of praying within its appointed time, nor does it lift the blame for not praying in the prescribed time. The individual who failed to pray in the prescribed time must repent to Allah.
Allah (Most High) says, “Indeed, prayer is prescribed for the believers at specific times” [Quran, 4:103]. Furthermore, the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “The best of deeds is the prayer at its earliest time” [Bukhari and Muslim].
This highlights the virtue of punctuality in prayer and the diminished reward for delayed performance.
Therefore, it is essential to strive to perform prayers on time while promptly making up any missed prayers.
Please find further details here.
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
