QA-ID-0021
QUESTION
A certain masjid has allocated some place to read qada prayers instead of tarawih. Can we offer qada instead of tarawih?
ANSWER
﷽
Allocating a specific area in the Masjid for people to pray qadā prayers is not correct as this would be revealing a person’s sin when he prays in such an area. If a place is allocated specifically for reading qadā, then all those that pray there will know the other is praying qadā, which is exposing and revealing each other’s sin, which is not permissible (see al-Bahr al-Rayiq 1/276).
Although there is nothing wrong with praying qadā in the Masjid during tarāwīh time, it should be done secretly without assigning a specific place.
With regards to offering qadā prayers instead of tarāwīh, the ruling is that tarāwīh should not be completely missed in order to offer qadā prayers (see Bahār e Sharī’ah 4/706). Tarāwīh is an emphasised sunnah according to the Hanafīs. Habitually missing an emphasised sunnah is disliked and sinful.
The following is what a person can do if he wants to pray qadā prayers in Ramadān:
He should pray tarāwīh alone by reciting short chapters of the Qur’ān so that he can finish his tarāwīh quickly. Joining the tarāwīh congregation in the Masjid is not necessary, although it is certainly more rewarding. He can then use the rest of the time to pray qadā prayers.
He should not give up the tarāwīh completely in order to pray qadā prayers.
والله تعالى أعلم
And Allāh Knows Best
Muhammad Kalim Misbahi
