An imam’s reply on a missed prayer: “The Prophet ﷺ also missed a prayer”

Question

A certain religious scholar missed the fajr prayer (it became qada’). When people said to him, “If you have missed the prayer, what will become of us?”, he replied on the spot, “The Prophet ﷺ also missed a prayer.” This sentence had a bad effect on the people. What is the opinion of the scholars about such a person?

Answer

Once, while returning from a campaign (jihad), at a certain place the fajr prayer was missed (became qada’) despite every arrangement having been made. Also, while occupied in a certain battle, there was no opportunity for the prayer, and the prayer was missed at that time, which caused the Messenger of Allah ﷺ immense grief and distress, so much so that he even invoked…

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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