What Do I Do If I’m Not Sure How Many of My Past Prayers Were Invalid Due to Movement?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
I’ve been studying a Fard Ayn course and realized I’ve made errors in my prayer, such as significant movements that may have invalidated it. However, I’m unsure of how often this happened, making it hard to determine the number of makeup prayers (Qada Salah) needed. What should I do?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.
If you’ve realized that past Salah (prayers) may have been invalidated due to major movements and you’re unsure of the number, here’s a simplified approach:
- Repentance: Begin with sincere repentance to Allah for any unintentional mistakes in your prayers.
- Estimation: If you cannot estimate the number of invalidated prayers, focus on rectifying them through a reasonable effort without overwhelming yourself. For example, you might commit to performing extra prayers over a period of time to compensate without a specific count in mind.
- Continued Effort: Maintain your learning and improvement in performing Salah correctly.
- Seek Guidance: Consider consulting with a knowledgeable scholar for personalized advice; I suspect you may be mistaken about the validity of your past prayers.
- Trust in Allah’s Mercy: Allah values your sincere efforts and repentance. Your concern and actions toward correcting past mistakes are steps toward spiritual growth.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
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.
