some scholars hold that immediate performance is not obligatory on the basis of this hadith. (1)
In sequence …
His statement, “in sequence,” means that he begins with them in their proper order. Thus, if he owes five prayers, he begins with the noon prayer: he prays the noon prayer, then the afternoon prayer, then the sunset prayer, then the night prayer, and then the dawn prayer.
The evidence for this is as follows:
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The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “Whoever sleeps through a prayer or forgets it, let him pray it …” (2) This encompasses the prayer itself and the manner in which it is performed. It likewise encompasses the prayer’s place among the prayers; thus, it must be performed in its proper sequential position. For example, the noon prayer is to be performed between the dawn and afternoon prayers; in that case, he has indeed prayed it. Likewise, the sunset prayer is to be performed between the afternoon and night prayers.
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It is also authentically reported from the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, that he missed four prayers during the Battle of the Trench and made them up in sequence. (3)