For this reason, Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, held that it is not made up if missed, and that one who misses it is not recommended to make it up, because this was not reported from the Prophet, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, and because it is a prayer involving a specific form of congregation; therefore, it is legislated only in that manner.

If someone were to ask: “Is not the Friday prayer also a prayer involving a congregation in a specific manner, yet it is made up?”

The answer is: The Friday prayer is not made up; rather, the obligatory prayer for that time is performed, namely the noon prayer. Likewise, regarding the Festival prayer, we say: the congregation has been missed, so it is not made up. There is neither an obligatory prayer nor a sunnah prayer prescribed for this time.

It is a prayer that was legislated in this particular manner: if a person catches it in that manner, he performs it; otherwise, he does not.

According to this view, it becomes clear that those who remain at home do not perform it. This is why the Messenger of Allah, may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, commanded people to go out for it, and commanded unmarried young women, women in seclusion, and even menstruating women to attend the good and the supplication of the Muslims (1). He did not say, “Whoever stays behind should pray it in his home.”

If someone were to ask: “Why do we not make it up? If we are correct, then that is what is required; and if we are mistaken, we have exercised independent reasoning.”

The answer is: Yes, when a person exercises independent reasoning and performs an act of worship on the basis of that reasoning, he receives a reward for his reasoning and for his action as well. But once the sunnah has become clear, it may not be contradicted.