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Missing
the Friday Prayer in the West Because of Work Posted by Azizur RahmanJune 18, 2009 Share on
TwitterXHello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the
Friday Khutbah RSS feed for updates on this topic. Missing the Friday Prayer in the West Because of
Work — Answered by Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam Question: I have a brother who is contemplating a career
change primarily because he would not be able to hold a teaching position at
the elementary school level if he had to leave every week for Jumu’a. I have
apparently been told that the Syrian Hanafi position is that Jumu’a is not
mandatory in the West because there is no Muslim ruler or established Islamic
authority. Answer: The position of the mainstream and majority of
scholars, both from the Subcontinent and the Arab world, is that the condition
of having a Muslim ruler sultan in order to establish the Friday prayer is not
a condition in of itself; rather, a means to ensure that there is no dispute
regarding the establishment of the Friday prayer. The renowned Hanafi Jurist faqih, Imam al-Kasani
Allah have mercy on him explains in his Bada’i al-Sana’i that the condition of
having the Sultan’s permission is to avoid any possible disputes and arguments,
because the Friday jumu’a prayer is offered in a large congregating and to lead
such a massive congregation in prayer is indeed a great privilege; hence, it
may lead those who like to be in the limelight into competing and arguing with
one another to acquire the post of leading the Friday prayer. For this reason,
appointing the right person to lead the Friday prayer was left to the
discretion of the Sultan, so that he may appoint whomever he feels fit for this
esteemed position. As a result, there would be no dispute, for others would be
forced into obeying the Sultan and may even fear his punishment. Bada’i
al-Sana’i, 1/261 He further states that the above is when the Sultan
or his representative is present. However, if the Sultan was not able to attend
for one reason or another and the time of Jumu’a Salat came in, then there is
nothing wrong in the congregation uniting in the appointment of an Imam and
praying behind him. This is supported by what Imam Muhammad has narrated that
when Sayyiduna Uthman Allah be pleased with him was surrounded by the enemies,
people appointed Sayyiduna Ali Allah be pleased with him to lead them in the
Friday prayer. ibid In light of the above explanation and in light of
the explanation given by many other jurists, it is not a condition of the
Friday prayer that it be performed in a Muslim land. In the absence of a Sultan
or a Muslim ruler, it is completely permissible for the Muslims to choose
someone to lead the Friday prayer and such a Friday prayer would be considered
valid. When the Friday prayer is considered valid, it
becomes obligatory upon each and every Muslim male to attend the prayer unless
there is a dire and genuine excuse. Missing the Friday prayer without a legally
accepted excuse would be extremely sinful. Allah Most High says: “O you who believe! When the call for Friday prayer
is made, hasten towards the remembrance of Allah Prayer and Khutba and leave
all transactions. This is best for you if you know.” – Sura al-Jumu’a, V: 9 The above is the position of most contemporary
Ulama. What you have been told regarding the Syrian Hanafi position, it is
incorrect; rather, many top Syrian Ulama concur with the position of the
Subcontinent Fuqaha, in that the Friday prayer is obligatory even in the West.
I myself once heard Shaykh Muhammad Sa’id Ramadhan al-Buti Allah preserve him
refuting quite vigorously the isolated position of Jumu’a not being obligatory
in the West. Hence, your brother will be doing the right thing by
looking for an alternative job if he is unable to offer his Jumu’a prayer at
his current post. It will not be permitted to take up a career where one is
regularly unable to offer one’s Friday prayer, even in the West. And Allah knows best Muhammad ibn Adam Darul Iftaa Leicester , UK via Missing the Friday Prayer in the West Because of
Work. http://fridaykhutbah.com/qa-missing-the-friday-prayer-in-the-west-because-of-work/ |
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