So, am I held accountable for this work?
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The questioner : May Allah reward the honorableThe Shaykh : I have many jobs in which I seek sustenance, and they occupy me to the extent that I am prevented from seeking beneficial knowledge.
The Shaykh : Who is saying this?
The questioner : The questioner.
The Shaykh : The questioner?
The questioner : Yes. He says: I have many jobs in which I seek sustenance, and they occupy me to the extent that I am prevented from seeking beneficial knowledge. This work occupies me to the point that, at times, I am preoccupied with thinking during the time of my prayer. So, am I held accountable for this work?
The Shaykh : And what? Repeat.
The questioner : He says: I have many jobs in which I seek sustenance, and they occupy me to the extent that I am prevented from seeking beneficial knowledge. This work occupies me to the point that I am preoccupied with thinking during my prayer. So, am I held accountable for this work?
The Shaykh : Yes. As for being occupied by work to the extent that it prevents you from seeking knowledge, there is no blame on you, because seeking knowledge is a collective obligation. If enough people fulfill it, the obligation falls off the others. As for being occupied by work to the extent that it prevents you from prayer, listen to the saying of Allah the Exalted:[Al-Munafiqun 63:9]. So, do not be among the losers. Try to be present with your heart as you are present with your body in prayer, and do not be preoccupied with anything else. Accustom yourself to this until you find the pleasure of prayer, and until your prayer restrains you from what is shameful and what is wrong. Yes.
The Shaykh : Who is saying this?
The questioner : The questioner.
The Shaykh : The questioner?
The questioner : Yes. He says: I have many jobs in which I seek sustenance, and they occupy me to the extent that I am prevented from seeking beneficial knowledge. This work occupies me to the point that, at times, I am preoccupied with thinking during the time of my prayer. So, am I held accountable for this work?
The Shaykh : And what? Repeat.
The questioner : He says: I have many jobs in which I seek sustenance, and they occupy me to the extent that I am prevented from seeking beneficial knowledge. This work occupies me to the point that I am preoccupied with thinking during my prayer. So, am I held accountable for this work?
The Shaykh : Yes. As for being occupied by work to the extent that it prevents you from seeking knowledge, there is no blame on you, because seeking knowledge is a collective obligation. If enough people fulfill it, the obligation falls off the others. As for being occupied by work to the extent that it prevents you from prayer, listen to the saying of Allah the Exalted: