Fatwa ID: 08285 

 

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah

 

Question:

 

I got asked this after Jumu’ah by a regional manager of B&Q.

 

“Majority of the B&Q stores have a prayer area for the staff, during Ramadhan we pray Salah with Jama’h. A problem we are facing with the “Muslim trans” community is who they pray with.

 

Do they pray with the men or women?

 

Whatever the answer is, will affect a number of stores. If the issue gets out of hand we may lose the prayer times and facilities.”

 

Please advise how I answer. This issue is affecting alot of corporate work places too.

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

 

Answer:

 

Since these issues are highly sensitive and, if handled without careful consideration of the consequences, it may lead to accusations of discrimination, it is crucial to approach decisions with the utmost caution.

 

The sharia is clear regarding men and women praying separately, there is no need to discus details of that here. Furthermore, when matters become difficult, a principle of the Sharia is to create ease, and when there is apparent harm or harm yet to arise, it should be removed or prevented.

 

Transgender people, those who identify as other than the gender they were assigned at birth, should be left to pray in the room of their choice. This should be after they have been gently made aware of the preferences of other muslims around them. Regarding where they pray in the room itself, if they identify as a female however were assigned as male at birth, they should pray in front of the women (i.e. those who identify as women as well as being assigned as female at birth should be in front of those who transgender). If they identify as male however were assigned as female at birth, they should stand behind the men (i.e. those who identify as men as well as were assigned as male at birth should be in front of those who transgender should be in front of those who transgender)

 

Alongside this, the transgender staff should be gently made aware of the preferences of others, as being mindful of others is a core part of Islam and British values.

 

 

Only Allah knows best.

Written by Maulana Mohammed Aabu Saeed Miah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham

 

 

 

 

 

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