Fatwa ID: 03107
Answered by: Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh
Question:
If I am a Musafir will I be sinful for missing jumuah and instead of reading zuhr? Or will it still be necessary for me to attempt to find somewhere to read jumuah salat?
Answer:
In The Name Of Allah, The Most-Merciful, The Most Kind
Jum’ah is obligatory on every male who is free, mature, sane, healthy and resident. Allāh said:
“O, believers! When the call for Salah (prayer) is made on Friday (the day of congregational prayers), hasten to the remembrance of Allah and cease your business. That is better for you if you but knew.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah: 9)
However, Jumu'ah is not obligatory on a person who is female, slave, or sick and is a non-resident.
The Messenger of Allāh (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Jumu’ah prayer is an obligatory duty for every Muslim, to be offered in congregation, except four: a slave who is owned, or woman, or a child, or one who is sick.”2
In another Hadith the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“There are four on whom Jumu’ah is not obligatory: the slave, the sick, the traveller and the woman” 3
Therefore, if you are a traveller and you miss Jumu’ah and pray Zuhr in its place then you’ll not be sinful. However, if you are able to pray Jumu’ah while you are travelling then that is better.
Only Allah knows best
Written by Imam Abdul-Malik Sheikh
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
- Al-Ikhtiyar Li Ta’lil Al-Mukhtar, Vol 1, p 108, Darul Ma’rifah, Beirut
- Reported By Abu Dawud in his Sunan
- Reported by Abu Hanifah in his Musnad
