Qada

Qada refers to "Making up" an obligation that was missed. For example, if a Muslim misses a prayer (Salah) or a day of fasting in Ramadan due to illness or travel, they must perform Qada to fulfil that religious debt. It reflects the principle that obligations to Allah remain as a "Dayn" (debt) upon the believer until they are completed. Qada also refers to the "Judiciary" or the legal ruling of a judge (Qadi). While a "Fatwa" is a non-binding legal opinion, a "Qada" is a binding legal decision issued by an Islamic court to resolve a dispute. It is one of the primary duties of an Islamic state to provide a fair Qada system to uphold the rights of citizens. In the context of worship, qada means making up missed obligations. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever forgets a prayer, let him pray it when he remembers it; there is no expiation for it except that" (Bukhari, Muslim). This applies to missed prayers and fasts. Qada must be performed in the same manner as the original obligation. For prayers, the same number of rak'at and recitations are performed. For fasts, the full day of fasting is made up. Qada can be performed at any time, except during prohibited times for prayer. For fasts, they are usually made up before the next Ramadan, though they can be delayed if there is a valid excuse. In the context of law, qada refers to a binding judgment. The Quran commands: "O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just" (5:8). The qadi (judge) is responsible for upholding justice. The qada system is essential for a just society. It provides a mechanism for resolving disputes, upholding rights, and ensuring that justice is served. The Prophet said: "The just will be on pulpits of light on the Day of Judgment" (Muslim). For believers, qada is a responsibility. They make up missed obligations promptly, recognizing that they owe a debt to Allah. They do not delay, knowing that death could come at any time. They also respect the judicial system, recognizing the importance of just judgment. The ultimate judgment (qada) is from Allah on the Day of Judgment. The believer prepares for that judgment by fulfilling their obligations, seeking forgiveness, and living justly. They trust that Allah, the ultimate Judge, will judge with perfect justice. The believer also seeks to be among those who are just, upholding justice in their own dealings and respecting the judicial process. They know that justice is a foundation of faith and that the just will be honored by Allah.