Deliberately Missed Obligatory Prayers

Comparative Legal Perspectives of Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah Scholars in Medan

Abstract

This study examines and compares the legal perspectives of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah scholars in Medan regarding the obligation to make up (qadha) deliberately abandoned obligatory prayers. The issue remains debated due to differences in legal reasoning (istinbath al-hukm) and approaches to Islamic legal sources adopted by both organizations. While qadha prayers have been widely discussed in Islamic jurisprudence, comparative studies focusing on the institutional views of NU and Muhammadiyah at the local level remain limited. Using a normative-empirical legal approach and a qualitative comparative method, this study collected primary data through semi-structured interviews with two authoritative scholars representing NU and Muhammadiyah in Medan. Secondary data were obtained from the Qur’an, Hadith, classical and contemporary fiqh literature, and academic journals. Data were analyzed descriptively and comparatively, with source triangulation employed to ensure credibility. The findings reveal a fundamental difference between the two organizations. NU scholars maintain that deliberately missed obligatory prayers must be replaced through qadha, relying on the consensus of the majority of classical jurists (jumhur), ijma’, and qiyas aulawi. Conversely, Muhammadiyah scholars argue that qadha is not prescribed for intentionally abandoned prayers because no explicit textual evidence mandates it. Instead, they emphasize sincere repentance (taubat nasuha) and the performance of additional righteous deeds. This divergence stems from differing epistemological orientations: NU incorporates qiyas and classical madhhab traditions, whereas Muhammadiyah prioritizes direct textual interpretation and rejects qiyas in matters of ritual worship (ibadah mahdhah). The study highlights the dynamics of Islamic legal pluralism in Indonesia and provides practical insights for religious guidance concerning worship obligations within Muslim communities.