Fatwa ID: 07874
Answered by: Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Question:
I work at school as a teacher. I have lessons during the Friday prayer. I live in a non-Muslim country. But we have a masjid in our town. Our school does not have another teacher. I don’t have another job. I pay the bills with the help of this job. What should I do in my situation?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Allah SWT says in the Quran:
O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you, if only you knew.[1]
This verse establishes the importance of Jumuah and the obligation upon male Muslims to prioritize it over worldly matters. The command to leave off business during this time is a direct test of our faith and submission to Allah SWT.
The Obligation of Salaatul Jumuah
Salaatul Jumuah is an individual obligation (Fardh Ayn) upon every capable Muslim man who fulfills specific conditions
It is an individual obligation, as stated in Al-Tahdheeb (Then for its obligation there are conditions for the one praying) and they are freedom, maleness, residence, and health, as stated in Al-Kafi, and the ability to walk, as stated in Al-Bahr Al-Ra’iq, and sight, as stated in Al-Tumartashi[2]
For anyone who meets these conditions, the obligation is clear and undeniable. This is further supported by the Quran, Sunnah, and by the consensus of the Ummah.
(his statement: “with the definitive evidence”), which is the statement of the Most High – {O you who have believed, when the call is made for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, then hasten} [Al-Jumu’ah: 9] [until the end of]the verse – and [established] by the Sunnah and consensus[3]
Denying this obligation is considered disbelief due to it being proven by explicit and decisive evidence.
(it is an individual obligation) (whoever denies it is an unbeliever) because it is proven by conclusive evidence[4]
Warnings on Leaving Salaatul Jumuah
Salaatul Jumuah is more important than Salaatul Duhur and should be prioritized. A severe warning has been issued for those who miss Salaatul Jumuah without a valid reason.
(his statement: “more emphatic than the noon prayer”), meaning because there was a threat/warning in it that was not mentioned regarding the noon prayer, including his statement – may God bless him and grant him peace – “Whoever abandons the Friday prayer three times without necessity, God will seal his heart.” Narrated by Ahmad and Al-Hakim, and he authenticated it (considered it Saheeh). So he will be punished for abandoning it more severely than the noon prayer, and he will be rewarded, and it is not a substitute for it.[5]
Practical Guidance for Prioritizing Salaatul Jumuah
The command to “leave off business” applies directly to situations like yours where work or other commitments conflict with attending Jumuah. Allah SWT is testing your faith and trust in Him, reminding you that:
And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He alone is sufficient for them.[6]
Here are steps you can take to align your actions with Allah SWT’s commands:
- Seek Help from Allah SWT: Pray sincerely for guidance and a solution to your situation. Trust that Allah SWT will bless your efforts and provide sustenance from unexpected sources.
- Communicate with Your Employer or School: Respectfully explain the obligation of Jumuah prayer and how it is a fundamental part of your faith. Most workplaces and schools, especially in countries that protect religious freedom, are willing to accommodate such requests.
- Explore Flexible Solutions: Consider adjusting your schedule, such as shifting classes, working hours, or finding a temporary substitute during Jumuah.
- Jumuah on Campus: Work with local scholars to establish a Jumuah congregation nearby if traveling to the Masjid is a challenge.
- Reevaluate Your Commitments if Necessary: If all other options fail, consider finding a job or environment that allows you to fulfill your religious duties. The value of Islam and Iman far outweighs any worldly gain.
Remember that the ultimate success is in the Hereafter, and sacrificing your religious obligations for temporary gains is not worth the cost.
The Reward of Trusting Allah and Upholding Obligations
When you prioritize Allah SWT’s commands, you open the doors to His blessings and mercy. Allah SWT promises in the Quran:
And whoever is mindful of Allah, He will make a way out for them and provide for them from sources they could never imagine. And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then He ˹alone˺ is sufficient for them. Certainly Allah achieves His Will. Allah has already set a destiny for everything.[6]
By prioritizing Salaatul Jumuah, you show your trust in Allah’s care and provision and recognize that true success lies in obeying Him. This act of faith can help solve your current problems and may bring unexpected blessings and ease into your life. Remember that nothing is more valuable than Islam and Imaan and that there is no true life but the life of the Hereafter.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Mawlana Abdurrahman Mohammad
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1] يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ (٩)
(Surah Al-Jumu’ah 62:9)
[2] وَهِيَ فَرْضُ عَيْنٍ، كَذَا فِي التَّهْذِيبِ (ثُمَّ لِوُجُوبِهَا شَرَائِطُ فِي الْمُصَلِّي) وَهِيَ الْحُرِّيَّةُ وَالذُّكُورَةُ وَالْإِقَامَةُ وَالصِّحَّةُ، كَذَا فِي الْكَافِي، وَالْقُدْرَةُ عَلَى الْمَشْيِ، كَذَا فِي الْبَحْرِ الرَّائِقِ، وَالْبَصَرُ، هَكَذَا فِي التُّمُرْتَاشِيِّ
(Radd Al-Muhtār, vol. 1, pg. 144, Darul Fikr Beirut)
[3] (هِيَ فَرْضُ) عَيْنٍ (يَكْفُرُ جَاحِدُهَا) لِثُبُوتِهَا بِالدَّلِيلِ الْقَطْعِيِّ كَمَا حَقَّقَهُ الْكَمَالُ وَهِيَ فَرْضٌ مُسْتَقِلٌّ آكَدُ مِنْ الظُّهْرِ
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 2, pg. 136, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
[4] (قَوْلَهُ بِالدَّلِيلِ الْقَطْعِيِّ) وَهُوَ قَوْله تَعَالَى – {يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا} [الجمعة: ٩] الْآيَةَ – وَبِالسُّنَّةِ وَالْإِجْمَاعِ
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 2, pg. 136-137, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
[5] (قَوْلُهُ آكَدُ مِنْ الظُّهْرِ) أَيْ لِأَنَّهُ وَرَدَ فِيهَا مِنْ التَّهْدِيدِ مَا لَمْ يَرِدْ فِي الظُّهْرِ، مِنْ ذَلِكَ قَوْلُهُ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – ” «مَنْ تَرَكَ الْجُمُعَةَ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ مِنْ غَيْرِ ضَرُورَةٍ طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ» رَوَاهُ أَحْمَدُ وَالْحَاكِمُ وَصَحَّحَهُ، فَيُعَاقَبُ عَلَى تَرْكِهَا أَشَدَّ مِنْ الظُّهْرِ وَيُثَابُ وَلَيْسَتْ بَدَلًا عَنْهُ
(Al-Fatāwā Al-Hindiyya, vol. 2, pg. 136, Al-Maṭba’ah Al-Kubrā Al-Amīriyyah)
[6] وَمَن يَتَّقِ ٱللَّهَ يَجْعَل لَّهُۥ مَخْرَجًۭا (٢) وَيَرْزُقْهُ مِنْ حَيْثُ لَا يَحْتَسِبُ ۚ وَمَن يَتَوَكَّلْ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ فَهُوَ حَسْبُهُۥٓ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ بَـٰلِغُ أَمْرِهِۦ ۚ قَدْ جَعَلَ ٱللَّهُ لِكُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدْرًۭا (٣)
(Surah At-Talaq 65:2-3)
