We are a group of employees—about ten—who work in an Islamic bank, and the Maghrib prayer comes upon us while we are at work.
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The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : We are a group, a group of employees, about ten, who work in an Islamic bank. The Maghrib prayer comes upon us while we are at work. Is it permissible for us, O honorable Shaykh, to pray at our place of work, given that the mosque is close to us? The work requires a lot of time to complete, which causes us to miss the congregational prayer. What should we do? May Allah reward you with good?
The Shaykh : If your leaving this bank for the mosque would cause harm, or if there is a fear of thieves or something similar, then there is no harm in staying and praying in your place. The question, as you heard, says: an Islamic bank, meaning that it is free from riba (usury or interest). This is an excuse. The scholars even said: if a baker fears that his bread will burn if he goes to the mosque, he may stay. And bread is nothing compared to dirhams. Then the scholars say: he is excused for leaving the congregation, even though these people will pray in congregation. So I see no blame on them if going to the mosque entails harm or there is a fear of thieves. Yes.
The Shaykh : If your leaving this bank for the mosque would cause harm, or if there is a fear of thieves or something similar, then there is no harm in staying and praying in your place. The question, as you heard, says: an Islamic bank, meaning that it is free from riba (usury or interest). This is an excuse. The scholars even said: if a baker fears that his bread will burn if he goes to the mosque, he may stay. And bread is nothing compared to dirhams. Then the scholars say: he is excused for leaving the congregation, even though these people will pray in congregation. So I see no blame on them if going to the mosque entails harm or there is a fear of thieves. Yes.