Q: Is it obligatory on a person who abandoned Salah (prayer) for a long period of time like months or years to make up for the missed Salah?

(Part No. 6; Page No. 43)  A: The majority of scholars are of the view that it is obligatory on such a person to make up for the missed Salah considering them liabilities due on him. They support their view with the general meaning of the Hadith that reads, The debt owed to Allah should be repaid (before that of anyone else). However, some scholars view that it is not obligatory on someone who intentionally missed Salah to make up for it. This is because abandoning Salah is tantamount to Kufr (disbelief) that takes the person out of Islam - we seek refuge with Allah - and renders all the person's deeds in vain. They further view that only the person who missed Salah out of forgetfulness or oversleeping may make up for it. Such a person has a valid excuse and is thus, entitled to the right to make up for it as redress. On the contrary, the person who intentionally misses Salah has no valid excuse and is thus, unworthy of being given an opportunity to make up for it. Undoubtedly, the penalty of such a person will be nothing but Hellfire unless he repents.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.