Prioritizing Work Over Prayer
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Fatwa No. ( 16772 )
Q: I had a discussion with a colleague of mine when the adhan for the Zuhr prayer was called. I said to him, "Let us go pray." He said to me, "Work is more important; because if this work is not done now, it will not be done, whereas the time for prayer extends until 'Asr. So why was the time for prayer specified and the time for work not?" Please issue a ruling, may Allah preserve you.
A: It is prescribed for the Muslim to hasten to perform the prayer when its time enters; because the beginning of the time is its most virtuous part, except for the Zuhr prayer during intense heat, in which case it is
delayed until the heat subsides, provided that it is prayed in congregation. Likewise, the 'Isha' prayer is delayed until one-third of the night if it does not cause hardship for the ma'mumin. This is the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the way of the Salaf of the Ummah. The statement that prayer is delayed and work is prioritized is not correct; because prayer is the most important of deeds, and this statement implies a lack of concern for prayer. Furthermore, delaying it may lead to the time expiring or to a person praying alone, and both of these are negligence and involve great sin. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Q: I had a discussion with a colleague of mine when the adhan for the Zuhr prayer was called. I said to him, "Let us go pray." He said to me, "Work is more important; because if this work is not done now, it will not be done, whereas the time for prayer extends until 'Asr. So why was the time for prayer specified and the time for work not?" Please issue a ruling, may Allah preserve you.
A: It is prescribed for the Muslim to hasten to perform the prayer when its time enters; because the beginning of the time is its most virtuous part, except for the Zuhr prayer during intense heat, in which case it is
delayed until the heat subsides, provided that it is prayed in congregation. Likewise, the 'Isha' prayer is delayed until one-third of the night if it does not cause hardship for the ma'mumin. This is the way of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the way of the Salaf of the Ummah. The statement that prayer is delayed and work is prioritized is not correct; because prayer is the most important of deeds, and this statement implies a lack of concern for prayer. Furthermore, delaying it may lead to the time expiring or to a person praying alone, and both of these are negligence and involve great sin. And success is from Allah, and may Allah send prayers and blessings upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his Companions.
Source
www.alifta.gov.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.