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A University Student Unable to Offer Friday Prayer

Question

As Salam alaikum sheikh, I am in a difficult position. Indeed, in my school (university) the timetable prevents me from going to Friday prayer. To add to that, France is a very intolerant country compare to the UK or US, they will never let you leave school for this reason, also if I try to deliberately miss class, after a few absences I will get point deduced and eventually kicked out the school. I have seen your answer in regards to a similar question, it says that it is fine to pray with fellow muslim students after the class. The thing is, in my case, I live in area with few Muslims, i'll try but i'd be surprised to find muslims that would do jummah with me. Moreover, in the winter, by the end of the class, 'Ast will come in. Please note that this is the situation of the majority of high schools/universities in France. Obviously in this case, hijra is the best option but in my case it is impossible due to family reasons and me being 18 (and still very dependent on my parents).Jazaka'Allahu khayran

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

As a basic rule, it is obligatory on you to exert the necessary efforts to perform the Friday prayer as long as you are among those who are obliged to perform it as per the Sharee‘ah.

If the situation is as you described, that you would be harmed by attending the Friday prayer and you cannot find any other way to hold the Friday prayer on the university campus along with other resident Muslim students, nor can you find another university to which you may transfer and which would allow you to attend the Friday prayer, then, in this case, there is nothing wrong with missing the Friday prayer given that excuse. You should perform the Thuhr prayer instead.

The jurists mentioned some valid excuses with which it becomes permissible to miss the Friday and congregational prayers, and one of those excuses is if attending the prayers incurs harm on one’s livelihood. In this case, it is permissible for him to miss the congregational prayer given his excuse.

Allah Knows best.

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