How To Pray Missed Fajr Prayers Behind the Imam?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I have embarked on making up for the missed prayers in my youth. This Ramadan, we are performing our tarawih at home, and I read an earlier post that advised that one pray the missed fajr prayers behind the imam. Would one still be required to perform the Qunut?

And if one has completed all the qadhas of Fajr, how does one perform the others while praying behind the imam during Tarawih? I ask this as it disheartens my father when we do not join in with tarawih. I am a Shafi’i.

Can I pray Tarawih Prayers If I Have Overdue Obligatory Prayers to Complete?

Answer

If one is praying make-up fajr prayers behind an imam praying tarawih, it is still sunna for him to say the du’a of qunut after bowing for the second raka.

See the description here:
The Shafi’i Qunoot

However, it is valid to shorten one’s qunut to the minimum necessary as there would not be enough time for him to say the full qunut without lagging.

See this link for the minimum:
The Shafi’i Qunût – Part II

If one did not recite the qunut and didn’t perform the prostration of forgetfulness afterward, his prayer would still be valid because the prostration of forgetfulness itself is sunna. [Reliance of the Traveller, p. 167] I don’t recommend making up one’s Fajr prayers like this, as there is no reason to perform a deficient prayer.

I don’t see how he can join tarawih if he has finished making up all of his Fajr prayers. He must focus on making up his obligatory prayers first. Realistically, you would only need to do this for one Ramadan. If you are diligent, you could finish your make-up by next year and join your father for tarawih then. It would be better to explain to him what you are doing and communicate that you would like to fulfill these obligations before supererogatory acts. Assure him that he doesn’t need to take it personally.

Check this link:
Reciting the Fajr Qunut Behind the Imam in Shafi’i Fiqh

May Allah reward you and accept all of your worship this month.

[Ustadha] Shazia Ahmad
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadha Shazia Ahmad lived in Damascus, Syria for two years where she studied aqida, fiqh, tajweed, tafsir, and Arabic. She then attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her Masters in Arabic. Afterward, she moved to Amman, Jordan where she studied fiqh, Arabic, and other sciences. She later moved back to Mississauga, Canada, where she lives with her family.