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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Dear sir

Please help me out to give this Answer........We two guy doing job in a company in same field. Normally we go out for JUMA saalat together. But sometimes when some urgent job come one of us cant go out for client's urgent requirement. As a senior i can easily go for JUMA prayer but i sent my Junior to pray JUMA. I really feel guilty as i cant go for JUMA prayer. I said my boss in this regard. But he told when there was no urgency he never stop both of us. So please tell me what i should do? If I go for JUMA my colege cant go which is also a problem. Please tell me what i should do in this regard.

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Answer:

Attend jumua friday prayer

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

To attend and observe the Friday mid-day prayers in congregation is a direct Command of the Lord Who Created; and there is just no room for an adult, sane, male believer to intentionally miss the offering of one’s Friday mid-day prayers in congregation in Shariah, unless one has an absolutely genuine excuse.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 62 Surah Jumua verses 9-10:

9        O ye who believe!  When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly) hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah and leave off business (and traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew!

10      And when the Prayer is finished then may ye disperse through the land and seek of the Bounty of Allah: and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that ye may prosper.

Your Question: …..So please tell me what i should do? If I go for JUMA my colege cant go which is also a problem. Please tell me what i should do in this regard.

If the job or duty one is entrusted with involves an emergency where a life or death could be effected by their absence….for example a doctor, or fire services, or the police, or army on duty, etc…..and one cannot arrange or find another person to substitute their place for the duration of the Jumuah prayer, there is a chance that their excuse for reluctantly not being able to attend one of the Jumuah prayers might be acceptable in the Presence of their Lord.

But if one has a duty or a job which is not an emergency nor does it effect life or death….but is rather only commercially urgent….then without an iota of a doubt, that would not be a valid excuse at all for a believer to miss one’s Jumuah prayer.

Ibn Mas'ud reports that the Prophet (saws) noticed some people staying away from al-Jumu'ah (Friday midday sermon and prayer)and said: "I had the notion to order someone to lead the people in prayer, and then to go and burn the houses of those who stayed away from al-Jumu'ah."

Related by Ahmad and Muslim.

Abu Hurairah and Ibn 'Umar report that they heard the Prophet (saws) say: "Those who are not attending the Jumua Salah should change their ways; otherwise, Allah, the Exalted, will seal their hearts and they will be reckoned the heedless."

Related by Muslim, Ahmad and an-Nasa'i.

Abu al-Ja'd ad-Damari reports that the Prophet (saws) said: "Whoever misses three Jumua prayers in a row out of negligence will have a seal put over his heart by Allah."

Related by Bukhari and Muslim.

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws),   one can be assured of never ever being misled;   but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray. 

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

Members of Islamhelpline