['Aalim Network QR] Missed Prayers & Fasts of a Convert

[Mustafa Rawji <mrawji@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salaamun alaykum,

	The reply to the following question was kindly provided by Shaykh 
Ali Rasheed.

Wasalaam,

Mustafa Rawji
Moderator, 'Aalim Network

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  QUESTION:
 
          Should a convert/revert make up prayers and fasts that were missed
  before he/she became Muslim?
 
          Please reply according to Ayat. Seestani.
 
  ANSWER:
 
         Before a person becomes a Muslim, he/she has no obligation to pray
 and fast, therefore, he/she does not have any duty to make up any prayers
 or fasts. (This is not an issue concerned with Taqleed).
 
         I have not found anything in Seestani's Risaalah (or any other for
 that manner). However, it is a matter of logic that no one can be
 obligated to perform the duties of a Muslim before he/she becomes a
 Muslim. If they were obligated to perform an act of worship according to
 their previous faith, those acts will not carry over into Islam once a
 person converts. A convert starts with a clean slate and any negligence
 regarding their religious duties prior to becoming a Muslim is forgiven
 after conversion. Note that this issue refers only to acts of worship and
 such. Obligations like debts and agreements are still binding upon a
 convert.
 
 Was-Salaam
 
 Ali Rasheed