Missed Fasts & Prayers as a Non-Muslim
Question
Title: Missed Fasts & Prayers as a Non-Muslim Question: I have a few queries: I'm born in a Muslim family but essentially was a non-believer till 2004. Till that year, I did not perform any roja in my life, nor prayed namaz or pay zakat and did not care for the question of existance of Almighty and His relevance to our life. Since 2004 I've gone through changes. Now I believe in Almighty, I'm regularly trying to pray five times a day, do roja and pay zakat duly. What about my previous days dues? Do I need to do all the roja I missed? Please also tell me about the concept of 'Umri Kaza' for the prayers I've missed till 2004. For example I find it very difficult to pray extra 4 rakats after praying for 4+2 rakats of sunnah and 4 rakats of fard during Zuhr. Some learned friends of mine have informed me that after Asr prayer, standing for any nafl prayer or performing any qada prayer is not valid. Are they right? One of my acquintaince informed me that one who does not have a 'beard' should not lead a prayer. Is he right? Is there any reference? Every now and then, I perform the Esha prayer at home with my younger brother and cousin at home in Congegration of two or three. Now, after the Fard, we pray the Sunnah individually but pray the Witr in congregation (Jamat). Is there any problem in praying the Witr in Congregation other than the month of Ramadan? Kind regards Answer: Following is our response to each of your questions: Any prayer or fast that you missed when you were a nonbeliever is not applicable to you. They do not have to be made up. If you maintain your five daily prayers and live by Islam's principles and spirit then you will insha'Allah be fine. Anything you do extra, even a smile, will be in your favor. This is an incorrect understanding. In general, Muslims do not pray supererogatory prayers after `Asr (Midafternoon); however, it is our opinion that any extra forms of worship cannot be regulated and are open to the person's determination. There is no such rule in Islam that states a man without a beard cannot lead prayer. This is a false belief and has no basis in Islam. All the prayers after `Isha are voluntary and beyond the mandatory requirements of the religion so you may perform them as you wish, with or without a congregation. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan May 25, 2007
Answer
Title: Missed Fasts & Prayers as a Non-Muslim Question: I have a few queries: I'm born in a Muslim family but essentially was a non-believer till 2004. Till that year, I did not perform any roja in my life, nor prayed namaz or pay zakat and did not care for the question of existance of Almighty and His relevance to our life. Since 2004 I've gone through changes. Now I believe in Almighty, I'm regularly trying to pray five times a day, do roja and pay zakat duly. What about my previous days dues? Do I need to do all the roja I missed? Please also tell me about the concept of 'Umri Kaza' for the prayers I've missed till 2004. For example I find it very difficult to pray extra 4 rakats after praying for 4+2 rakats of sunnah and 4 rakats of fard during Zuhr. Some learned friends of mine have informed me that after Asr prayer, standing for any nafl prayer or performing any qada prayer is not valid. Are they right? One of my acquintaince informed me that one who does not have a 'beard' should not lead a prayer. Is he right? Is there any reference? Every now and then, I perform the Esha prayer at home with my younger brother and cousin at home in Congegration of two or three. Now, after the Fard, we pray the Sunnah individually but pray the Witr in congregation (Jamat). Is there any problem in praying the Witr in Congregation other than the month of Ramadan? Kind regards Answer: Following is our response to each of your questions: Any prayer or fast that you missed when you were a nonbeliever is not applicable to you. They do not have to be made up. If you maintain your five daily prayers and live by Islam's principles and spirit then you will insha'Allah be fine. Anything you do extra, even a smile, will be in your favor. This is an incorrect understanding. In general, Muslims do not pray supererogatory prayers after `Asr (Midafternoon); however, it is our opinion that any extra forms of worship cannot be regulated and are open to the person's determination. There is no such rule in Islam that states a man without a beard cannot lead prayer. This is a false belief and has no basis in Islam. All the prayers after `Isha are voluntary and beyond the mandatory requirements of the religion so you may perform them as you wish, with or without a congregation. I hope I have clarified the issue. God knows best. Ronnie Hassan May 25, 2007
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