Should I Perform Missed Prayers in Order? (Shafi’i)

Answered by Shaykh Shuaib Ally

Question: Assalam alaykum,

I work during the Dhur prayer and only get home when it is Asr prayer. Do I pray Asr prayer first and then Dhur or visa versa?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullah,

It is obligatory to perform prayers on time. God says, “Prayers have been decreed for the believers at set times” [Qur’an; 4.103].
If a person misses a prayer without a valid excuse, it is obligatory to make it up immediately.

Should I Perform Missed Prayers in Order?

If a person has missed the Dhuhr prayer with a valid excuse, and wants to perform it during the time of the ‘Asr prayer, he should first consider if he has time to perform both in order, without the time for the current prayer running out.

If he can perform both prayers without the time for ‘Asr running out, it is better to perform them in their normal order; that is, to perform Dhuhr, then ‘Asr.

If not, it is better to perform the current prayer first (‘Asr) before making up the missed prayer. This ensures that he performs the ‘Asr prayer in its time, and doesn’t end up with two prayers prayed outside of their respective times.

God knows best.

Shuaib Ally