Prays Jumu'ah and other prayers individually
15-7-2004 | IslamWeb
Question:
I study in a Christian school where the lunch break is between 12:00 and 12:45. So I pray Zuhr and Friday prayer after 12:30 in the school without making Jama'ah. Is it permitted?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
The matter of Jumu'ah prayer is of great significance and excellence; leaving it without any legal excuse is a great sin. Ibn Omar and Abu Huraira heard Allah's Messenger (Peace and blessing be upon him) say on the planks of his pulpit, "People must cease to neglect the Friday prayer, or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the negligent". [Reported by Imam Muslim] The Prophet also said: "Whoever neglects praying three consecutive Friday prayers, Allah sets a seal on their hearts". There are many merits for praying Jumu'ah which are mentioned in many sound Ahadith, such as the Hadith that the Prophet said: "Performing the five daily prayers and performing Friday prayer after another Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed". [Reported by Imam Muslim] The Command of Allah for hurrying to perform this prayer is a clear evidence to prove its significance. Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutba) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!}[62:9].
Therefore, everyone should keep performing Jumu'ah prayer and should never neglect it. Being absent from it is not permissible except if there is a legal excuse allowed by Shariah.
Friday prayer is not valid except with a congregation. If missed, one should pray instead 4 Raka'as as Dhuhr. However, it is not a condition for the other five daily prayers to be performed in congregation, unless a person hears the Azan in which case it is incumbent on him to join the congregation according to the correct opinion of the people of knowledge, except if he has a sound valid reason not to attend the Jama'ah (congregation).
Anyway, it should be noted that a Muslim should study in a Muslim school if possible, and avoid other schools, as non-Muslim schools could affect his belief, acts of worship and morals.
We ask Allah to enable you to do whatever He loves and He is pleased with.
Allah knows best.