Excuses for missing Salah?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

It is narrated by Saaiduna Jabir Radiallahu Anhu that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said “Between man and disbelief is the abandonment of Salah”.  (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh p.58 v.1)

In another hadith the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said “The agreement that is between us and them is the prayer. Whoever leaves it has disbelieved”.  (Mishkaatul Masaabeeh p.58 v.1)

Allah (SWA) in the Holy Quran says “What has brought you to (Saqar Hell)?  They will say, We were not among those who offered Salah”.  (Surah Muddaththir v.42-43)

From the moment a child reaches the age of puberty or a person accepts Imaan, Salah becomes compulsory.  The Shariah does go to great lengths to accommodate our circumstances.  If you cannot stand, you can offer it sitting down.  If you cannot sit, you can offer it lying down.  If you are travelling, you offer two rakats instead of four for Zuhr, Asr and Ishaa prayers and so on.

However, if a woman is experiencing her periods (haidh) or nifaas then she is exempted from praying her Salah.  (Raddul Muhtar p.484 v.1)

Similarly, if a person faints or is unconscious for a full day and night or more, he must not perform the Salah he has missed.  He is exempted from performing them and there is no qaza.  (Raddul Muhtar p.573 v.2)

Furthermore, if a patient has no strength to even move the head for isharaa (gestures), then one should not perform the Salah.  If his condition continues for more than a day and night, one will not need to read qaza for the missed prayers.  However, if one gains the strength of moving the head for gestures within a day or night in a period less than that, qaza will have to be performed for the missed Salah.  (Raddul Muhtar p.570 v.2)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.