Reconciliation between work and congregational prayer | The official website of Sheikh Muhammad Ali FERKUS
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Thirsday 16 Shawwâl 1445 H - April 25, 2024 G



Fatwa: 413

Category: fatwas about prayer

Reconciliation between work and congregational prayer

The question:

How is it possible to reconcile between work and congregational prayer?

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Congregational prayer is compulsory according to the majority of scholars and it is one of Allah's rights. Work should not be an obstacle to perform it in the mosque congregationally unless there is an excuse such as illness or fear. As it is permissible to leave the congregational prayer behind for an occupation or embarrassment as it is mentioned in the hadith reported by Fadhâla Al-Laythi رضي الله عنه who said: “The Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم taught me things from which was: “And guard strictly the five obligatory prayers”. I said: “Verily I am busy in those hours, so enjoin on me a comprehensive thing that will suffice me if I perform it” Then he said: “Guard strictly the two prayers of Al- ̀Asr”. But as I did not understand what it meant, I asked him: “What are the two prayers of Al- ̀Asr?” So he صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم said: “Prayer before sunrise and prayer before sunset”(1). It is also permissible to miss the congregational prayer because of a rainfall or a muddy ground and similar things. Besides, if he is able to perform prayer in congregation at home or at his work place then let him do it. If he is unable to perform it in a congregation, though he desires sincerely to do it, and that he performs it individually because of one of the precedent impediments, his individual prayer is like the prayer in a congregation with Allah’s Will, because the person is able to reach with his or her intention what he or she cannot do with his or her deed.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Rabî` Ath-Thâni 1st, 1426H.
Corresponding to: November 21st, 2005.


(1) Reported by Abu Dâwûd, chapter of “Prayer” (hadith 428), by Ahmad (hadith 19540) and Al-Bayhaqi (hadith 2277) on the authority of Fudâla Al-Laythi. It is judged authentic by Al-Albâni in As-Silsila As-Sahîha (hadith 1813) and Sahîh Al-Jâmi`̀ (hadith 3122).


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