Q: Alhamdulillah by the mercy of Allah, I have been consistent with my salaah with Jamaat for many years, and have no qadha from the age of 17 onwards. However, before that unfortunately I used to miss most of my Salaah.
My family wants me to go for Umrah but I don't feel it to be the right thing for me to join them, as I haven't completed my qadha salaah yet. I feel it's doesn't make sense to do that great but nafl amal when a compulsory amal is outstanding. I would feel extremely uncomfortable visiting the Kabah Shareef and Madinah, including the mubarak qabr of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), and then conveying the durood with such major sins and unpaid debt on my shoulders. I understand that there is obviously barakah in Umrah, but there might be barakah in making qadha salaah as well (in my opinion).
In addition, I find that my concentration and devotion to any nafl amal is weak and I always feel that I'm wasting time since I'm not prioritizing what is more important in the sight of Allah. Please advise.
A: After Imaan, salaah is the most important pillar in Islam. The first thing which a person will be questioned about on the day of Qiyaamah will be in regard to his salaah. Grave warnings have been sounded in the Qur'aan Majeed and Mubaarak Ahaadith for the one who forgoes his salaah.
Now that you have realized your wrong, then you should make qadha of all your missed salaah as quick as possible. You should also make taubah for missing the salaah during your life. If you wish to go for umrah, it is permissible. You can make the qadha there as you can make the qadha at home.
And Allah Ta'ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Checked & Approved: