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Must one make up prayers missed due to not knowing that ghusl was obligatory after a nocturnal emission at the age of 11 or 12?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars have differed regarding one who unknowingly omits a condition or pillar of prayer, and whether they are required to make it up (perform a qada') for it. The majority (Jumhur) hold that making it up is obligatory, and this is the more cautious and more absolving for one's responsibility (dhimma). While others, including Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, are of the view that it is not obligatory, citing as evidence that one who acts according to their knowledge is not burdened beyond their capacity, and that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not command the making up of prayers that were missed due to ignorance or assumption. What is advised is to ascertain the missed prayers and perform them as much as one is able, and to act upon what is most likely (ghalabat al-dhann) when certainty regarding their number is not possible.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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