Anas (1). Likewise, he led a congregation in the home of Itban ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, when Itban asked the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, to come to him and pray in a place that Itban would take as a place of prayer. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did so (2).

His statement, “for the five daily prayers,” apparently indicates that there is no difference between a prayer performed within its prescribed time and one made up after its time has passed.

A prayer performed within its prescribed time is one offered on time, while a make-up prayer is one offered after its time has passed. Thus, if a group of travellers sleep at the end of the night and do not awaken for the dawn prayer until after sunrise, then their prayer is a make-up prayer, since it is after its prescribed time. The apparent meaning of the author’s words is that congregational prayer is obligatory for them.

This apparent meaning is correct: congregational prayer is obligatory for the five daily prayers, even when they are made up. However, if a person delays a prayer beyond its prescribed time due to a legally valid excuse, then the prayer is not, in his case, a make-up prayer; rather, according to the correct view, it is considered to have been performed on time. This is due to the Prophet’s statement, peace and blessings be upon him: “Whoever sleeps through a prayer or forgets it, let him pray it when he remembers it. There is no expiation for it except that.” He then recited Allah’s statement: “And establish prayer for My remembrance” (3).

The evidence that it is obligatory is the general import of the proofs. Furthermore, when the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him,