He who sleeps in a prayer should perform it when he remembers

 229. Abu Qatadah narrated: The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam addressed us and said: ´´You would travel tomorrow in the evening and the night, and if Allah wills, you will come in the morning to a place of water.´´ So people travelled (self-absorbed) without paying heed to one another.

Abu Qatadah said: The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam was travelling until it was midnight, and I was by his side. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam began to doze and leaned (to one side) of his camel. I came to him and I lent him support without awaking him until he sat straight on his camel. He went on travelling until most of the night was over, and (he again) leaned (to one side) of his camel. I supported him without awakening him until he sat straight on his saddle, and then he travelled until it was near dawn. He (again) leaned which was more than before and he was about to fall down. So I came to him and supported him and he lifted his head and said: ´´What is this?´´ I said: ´´It is Abu Qatadah.´´ He (the Prophet salla alayhi wa sallam again) said: ´´Since how long have you been doing this to me?´´

I said: ´´I have been with you since the whole night.´´ He said: ´´My Allah protect you, as you have protected His Prophet,´´ and again said: ´´Do you think people do not see us?´´ I said: ´´Here is a rider.´´ I again said: ´´Here is another rider,´´ untill we gathered together and were seven riders. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam pulled to the side of the highway, and lay down and said: ´´Make sure we do not miss our prayer.´´ The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam was the first to wake up and the sun-rays were on his back. He (Abu Qatadah) said: We got up statled. He (the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam) said:

´´Ride on. ´´So we rode on until the sun had risen. He then dismounted and called for water which I had with me. There was a little water in it. He performed Wudu´ from that water using less water than he usually used, and some water was left. He said to Abu Qatadah: ´´Keep your water container, for it will be of importance.´´ Then Bilal called Adhan for prayer and the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam performed two Rak´ah and then performed the morning prayer as performed every day.

The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam rode on and we rode along him. Some of us whispered to the others saying: ´´What would be the expiation for missing our prayer?´´

Upon this the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Do you not have an example in me for you? There is no negligence in sleep. Negligence is no the part of a person who does not pray until the time for the next prayer becomes due. So he who sleeps in (or forgets) let him perform it as soon as he remembers; and the next day, let him perform his prayer on time.´´ He (the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam) said: ´´What do you think people have done (at this hour)? They in the morning missed their Prophet and then Abu Bakr and ´Umar bin Khattab told them that the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam must he behind you, he would not leave you behimd (him), but the people said: ´´The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam is ahead of you.´ So if they obey Abu Bakr and ´Umar bin Khattab, 

told them that the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam must be behind you, he would not leave you behind (him), but the people said: ´The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam is ahead of you.´ So if they obey Abu Bakr and ´Umar bin Khattab, they would he guided.´´ So we proceeded on until we met the people when part of the day had gone and it became hot. They said: ´´O Messenger of Allah! we are dying of theirst.´´ He said: ´´There is no destruction for you.´´ And then said: ´´Bring that small cup of mine,´´ and he then asked for the water container to be brought to him. The Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam began to pour water (in that small cup) and Abu Qatadah gave them to drink. And when people saw that there was (a little) water in the jug, they fell upon it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam said: ´´Behave well; the water (is enough) for all of you.´´

Then they began to receive (their share of) water with calmness (without showing any anxiety) and the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam began to fill (the cup), and I began to serve them until no one was left except me and the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam. He then filled (the cup) with water and said to me: ´´Drink it.´´ I said: ´´O Messenger of Allah, I would not drink until you drink.´´ Upon this he said: ´´The server of people is the last of them to drink.´´ So I drank and the Messenger of Allah salla alayhi wa sallam aso drank and the people came to the place of water quite happy and satiated.

´ Abdullah bin Rabah said: ´´I am going to narrate thsi Hadith in the great mosque.´´ ´Imran bin Husain said: ´´See, what you are going to sau, for I was one of the riders on that night?´´ I said: ´´So you know better this Hadith.´´ He said: ´´Who are you?´´ I said: ´´I am one of the Ansar.´´ Upon this he said: ´´You narrate, for you know your Hadith better.´´ I therefore, narrated it to the people. ´Imran said: ´´I was also present that night, but I do not know anyone else remembered it as you did.´´