In Islam, prayer (namaz) is among the most significant acts of worship, commanded to every able Muslim who has reached maturity. It is the first of the five pillars upon which the Islamic faith is built, following the declaration of faith (Shahada). For every Muslim who is of sound mind and maturity, performing prayer is obligatory. To neglect or delay it without a legitimate reason is considered sinful, as each prayer is to be offered within its designated time. Leaving a prayer to be made up later (qada) is only acceptable under certain circumstances, such as oversleeping, genuine forgetfulness, or severe illness that prevents even minimal physical movement for prayer. As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated, “If any of you misses a prayer out of sleep or forgetfulness, let him pray it when he remembers it” (Muslim, Mosques 316 [684]; see also Bukhari, Prayer Timings 37 [597]).
Common situations like being busy with work, providing for one’s family, or traveling are not valid excuses for delaying prayer. In the Qur’an, it is highlighted: “[There are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah, from establishing prayer, and from paying zakat. They fear a day when hearts and eyes will turn about in dismay” (Al-Nur, 24:37). This verse reminds us that true devotion entails prioritizing prayer even amidst worldly duties.
Employers or supervisors should allow employees who wish to perform prayers, including the Friday prayer and the five daily prayers, the opportunity to do so without interference. Employees, on their part, should ensure that prayer times do not disrupt their work responsibilities and should seek permission from their superiors to maintain workplace harmony. Even if permission is not granted, the prayer remains valid. However, a Muslim who cannot perform their prayer at work should seek employment in an environment that accommodates this obligation, if possible.
In situations where an alternative is not available, employees may combine their prayers (known as jam’), according to necessity. This practice involves performing the midday (Dhuhr) and afternoon (Asr) prayers together, either during the time of the first or the second prayer, and combining the evening (Maghrib) and night (Isha) prayers in a similar manner. It is essential to remember that this flexibility is a concession allowed only in cases of genuine necessity.
By maintaining a balance between our worldly duties and spiritual responsibilities, Muslims uphold the importance of prayer in all circumstances, embodying dedication to faith within daily life.