Ruling on Guardians Preventing Their Workers from Attending the Friday Prayer
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I am the preacher of a mosque,And some of the workers said to me: and their guardians do not permit them to perform the Friday prayer, claiming that they are like guards in the farm. They told me to speak about this on Friday and to order the guardians to allow them to pray. What is your opinion, O Shaykh?
If these workers are far from the mosque such that they do not hear the call to prayer without a loudspeaker, and they are outside the town, then the Friday prayer is not obligatory for them. The workers should be reassured that there is no sin on them in remaining in the farm and praying the midday prayer. It should be advised to their guardian to allow them to go, for there is good in that, and good for them, and it will please their hearts. It may also be a cause for advising them when they resume work, unlike if he pressures them. Many workers request to attend the Friday prayer in order to meet their friends and acquaintances. For this reason, you find them coming to the Friday prayer and sitting in the market talking until the imam arrives. When the imam arrives, they enter the mosque and sit talking while the imam is delivering the sermon. Such behavior indicates that the person does not want to attend the Friday prayer, but only to gather with his friends and acquaintances. And Allah knows best the intentions.And the crux of the matter is what has been mentioned previously: If they hear the call to prayer without a loudspeaker and they are in the town, let them attend. And if they are outside the town, there is nothing required of them.
If these workers are far from the mosque such that they do not hear the call to prayer without a loudspeaker, and they are outside the town, then the Friday prayer is not obligatory for them. The workers should be reassured that there is no sin on them in remaining in the farm and praying the midday prayer. It should be advised to their guardian to allow them to go, for there is good in that, and good for them, and it will please their hearts. It may also be a cause for advising them when they resume work, unlike if he pressures them. Many workers request to attend the Friday prayer in order to meet their friends and acquaintances. For this reason, you find them coming to the Friday prayer and sitting in the market talking until the imam arrives. When the imam arrives, they enter the mosque and sit talking while the imam is delivering the sermon. Such behavior indicates that the person does not want to attend the Friday prayer, but only to gather with his friends and acquaintances. And Allah knows best the intentions.And the crux of the matter is what has been mentioned previously: If they hear the call to prayer without a loudspeaker and they are in the town, let them attend. And if they are outside the town, there is nothing required of them.