Is sequential order (tartib) obligatory when making up missed obligatory prayers (fawa'it)?
Chapter on the Description of Prayer
Al-Mughni
Book of Prayer
Primary text
Sequential order is obligatory when making up missed prayers. Ahmad held this view in several contexts. Evidence includes the Prophet (peace be upon him) making up the four missed prayers from the Battle of the Trench sequentially. Furthermore, a narration concerning the Battle of the Trench indicates the Prophet prayed 'Asr after Maghrib because he forgot it, then repeated Maghrib, establishing the requirement for sequence. Another narration from Ibn Umar also supports the obligation of sequence. This obligation is based on the principle that both prayers are temporally bound obligations, requiring sequence like those combined in one time frame (Jam'ayn). This obligation applies regardless of the number of missed prayers.
Supporting text
Al-Shafi'i holds that sequence is not obligatory because making up a missed obligatory prayer is analogous to making up a missed fast, where sequence is not required. Malik and Abu Hanifa state sequence is not obligatory for more than the prayers missed within a day and a night because enforcing it for larger numbers becomes onerous and risks repetition, similar to making up Ramadan fasts. However, the primary view maintains sequence is mandatory because they are consecutive obligations performed within a period wide enough to accommodate them sequentially.