Issue: Explaining the ruling on a man leaving his job for the sake of i'tikaf or 'Umrah.
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The Shaykh : Now, there is a simple issue: some people leave their work in the mosque in order to perform i'tikaf or in order to perform 'Umrah. Is this permissible or not? We say that this is not permissible, because i'tikaf is a recommended practice (sunnah) and 'Umrah is a recommended practice (sunnah), while performing one's job is an obligatory duty (wajib). And unfortunately, we perform our jobs without seeking to draw near to Allah through them, except for those whom Allah has guided, even though performing one's job is a means of drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and is an act of worship. When you perform your job, do not think that you are merely a worker; you are fulfilling a matter imposed upon you by Allah (Mighty and Majestic), and it brings you closer to Allah. Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Ma'idah 5:1] The job is a contract between the employee and the responsible authority. And Allah the Exalted said: [Al-Isra 17:34] The employee has undertaken a commitment and has bound himself to a covenant to perform the job. So, if you fulfill the duty of your job, you are obeying the command of Allah (Mighty and Majestic) and fulfilling an obligation. Fulfilling obligations is more beloved to Allah the Exalted than recommended practices (sunnah). In the Qudsi Hadith, Allah said: Sahih al-Bukhari 6502 I am drawing your attention to this issue not just for the sake of i'tikaf or 'Umrah in Ramadan; there is no doubt that this is important, but more important than that is that you believe and feel that you are performing your job in obedience to whom? To Allah (Mighty and Majestic), because Allah has commanded it. So you feel that while performing your job, you are drawing near to Allah (Mighty and Majestic) through this. Pay attention to this issue. May Allah reward you. So we say that a person should not leave the obligatory duty of his job, such as leading the prayer or calling the adhan, or anything else, in order to perform i'tikaf in the mosque, because i'tikaf is a recommended practice (sunnah) and performing the job is an obligatory duty (wajib), and there is no conflict between an obligatory duty and a recommended practice (sunnah). Yes, what is it?
The questioner : Is the one performing 'Umrah, O Shaykh, who has had intercourse with his wife, considered a traveler, O Shaykh? He has no sin upon him, O Shaykh? You said he has no sin. Now, what if he had intercourse with her while they were unaware that it is permissible for them to break their fast, meaning they forgot the matter that it is permissible for them to break their fast?
The Shaykh : There is no harm, there is no harm, even if it was not on his mind. Are there no questions, everyone? Absolutely not, except through the paper.
O you who have believed, fulfill [all] contracts.
يا أيها الذين آمنوا أوفوا بالعقودAnd fulfill [every] commitment. Indeed, the commitment is ever [that about which one will be] questioned.
وأوفوا بالعهد إن العهد كان مسؤولاًAnd the most beloved things with which My slave comes nearer to Me, is what I have enjoined upon him
ما تقرب إلي عبدي بشيء أحب إلي مما افترضته عليهThe questioner : Is the one performing 'Umrah, O Shaykh, who has had intercourse with his wife, considered a traveler, O Shaykh? He has no sin upon him, O Shaykh? You said he has no sin. Now, what if he had intercourse with her while they were unaware that it is permissible for them to break their fast, meaning they forgot the matter that it is permissible for them to break their fast?
The Shaykh : There is no harm, there is no harm, even if it was not on his mind. Are there no questions, everyone? Absolutely not, except through the paper.