Introduction | Definition | Importance of Prayer I | Importance of Prayer II | Importance of Prayer III | Why Prayer is an Obligation
We’ll jump right in and start by looking at the proofs for why Prayer is an obligation. Beginning with the Holy Quran, in the chapter of Al-Mudathir verses 42 and 43 where Allah (swt) quotes a conversation happening between those in Jannah and those in the Hell fire:
[And asking them], “What put you into Saqar?” – They will say, “We were not of those who prayed, (Al-Muddathir 74:42 -43)
The emphasis in these verses was on Prayer because although other sins are mentioned in the verses that follow, missing Prayer was the first reason in their response. The five daily prayers are an obligation on all Muslims unless they’re in the list of exceptions to the rule – which we’ll cover in a moment. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam Ahmed (no. 22704) and Abu Dawud (no. 425) the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) says:
Five Prayers, Allah has obligated upon his servants in a day and night. So whoever preserves them has a covenant with Allah to admit him into Jannah, and whoever does not preserve them, then there is no such covenant. If He wishes He will punish him, and if He wishes He will forgive him.
In essence the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is telling us that by performing the obligatory Prayers we can enter Paradise. Neglecting our Prayers means we are no longer entitled to Paradise, and it is Allah (swt)’s choice to either punish us or forgive us. Who is willing to make that gamble?
Lastly, by Ijama’a or consensus of the scholars, the five daily prayers are compulsory on every sane Muslim who has reached the age of puberty except for a menstruating woman or one experiencing post-natal bleeding. The reference for this is in Bidayatul Mujtahid 2/252 as well as Al-Mughni 1/367-377 and Majmoo’al Fatawa 10/434 and others.
Who is exempt from the obligation of Prayer?
1) The disbeliever
Is not required to Pray while still a disbeliever, nor are they required to make up for the missed ones when they accept Islam. This is by complete consensus of the scholars and this is referenced from Al-Mughni 2/48 as well as Al-Muhalla 5/209. However he may be punished for non-performance of it in the hereafter, and Allah (swt) knows best.
2) The child
A hadith reported to be Hasan by Abu-Dawud (no. 490) and also reported by Imam Ahmed (no. 6689) narrates that the Messenger (pbuh) said,
Order your children to Pray at the age of seven and make it an obligation at the age of ten
The hadith refers to the end of their 7th year (almost 8 years old) and the end of their 10th year, (almost 11). Generally the ruling on having to perform obligations in Islam follows the ‘innocent until proven guilty’ premise. Meaning you are excused from the obligation until necessary.
3) The insane, mentally deficient and all that resemble their state
This group of people are not required to perform prayers because of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)’s hadith reported by Imam Ahmed (no. 24694) and Abu-Dawud (no. 4398) which is hadith Hasan.
These individuals are not required to make up any missed prayers after their excuse has been lifted. This is by consensus of the scholars as referenced in Al-Mughni 2/50 and Al-Majmoo’ 3/6. Conditions that fall into this category include Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Huntington’s etc. and people in this state should try to pray, but if not they aren’t punished for it.
4) The one in a coma or state of prolonged unconsciousness
This one is a bit tricky, but we’ll take it one at a time. First off, the stronger opinion is that they are not required to make up the Prayers missed while they were in a coma. This is the opinion of the majority of the scholars, including Imam As-Shafi’i and Imam Malik, may Allah’s mercy be upon them both. This is based on the case of the mad person, because they have both technically lost their sense of presence. (See Al-Majmoo’ 3/6 and Al-Mughni 2/51).
Based on this:
In the case of a person who loses consciousness for a permissible reason, such as general anesthesia for an operation, is not required to make up the Prayer that had been missed as long as they were unconscious for the whole duration of the prayer. So say you’re having an operation done at noon. At 12:15 pm you go under, and when you wake up its 5:00 pm. In your case, seeing that Duhr prayer came in at 1:00 pm and finished when Asr came in at 4:45 pm, you are not required to pray that missed Duhr.
A note on this point is that a doctor should try his level best to avoid giving drugs that render patients unconscious until the patient is able to perform their Prayers (as in right when prayer time is approaching). Obviously this condition shouldn’t be a priority over the patient’s safety and well-being. (See Majmoo Al-Fatawa Ibn Baz 12/251)
The caveat here is that if someone were to lose consciousness due to an impermissable reason like passing out after getting drunk or intoxicated due to substance abuse (taking drugs) then they are required to make up the prayers they missed. This ruling is by complete consensus of the scholars. (See Al-Mughni 2/52 and Al-Insaaf 3/9)
The opposing opinion that argues for making up the missed prayers, compares a coma to sleeping. So if you had actually slept through prayer time you would have to make up what you missed. This opinion isn’t a solid one because technically someone in a coma can’t just wake up when they like.
That’s it for today’s post, next time inshallah we’ll cover Establishing the Prayer and what that means and entails.
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