#1057: How Do I Observe Subh If I Have To Leave My Home For Work Before It Is Time And Will Not Arrive My Place Of Work Within The Bracket In Which The Salaah Was Commanded?
“Asalam alykum. I am a member of Islam node. My question is I live in ogun state and work in Lagos, to meet up with time I leave home as early as 5am. What is d right time for me to observe subhi…is it b4 I leave home at 5 am or after I get to work by 8AM. Jazakallahu khaeran”
ANSWER:
Wa Alaykum Salam Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuh
We ASK Allah in His Mercy and Grace to be merciful to myself and you, and to grant us Tawfiq and Sadaad, amin.
As for what follows, there is no doubt that Salaah is the most important form of Ibaadah that a Servant can observe to Allah aside Tawhid. And for this reason, it is the single first and most important matter about which a Servant will be questioned on the Day of Qiyaamah. We must therefore make sure that anything that jeopardizes it or disrupt it must be avoided.
Secondly, it is a matter about which the Madhaahib are agreed that any Salaat observed before its commanded time has set in, this Salaah is void and does not accrue for its Observer. This is clear and known. It therefore follows that you are not obliged to observe the Salaah before the appointed time due to this situation.
Thirdly, it is not permissible to delay the Salaah beyond its stipulated time unless it is a Salaah that is permissible to delay and combine with a later one such as Maghrib and Dhuhr if there is a necessity that requires that. This is also a matter about which the Madhaahib are agreed.
Rather, what is recommended for you in this situation is to pray while on the road. If it is possible for you to pause on the road and observe your Salaah when it is time, you do so. This is the main thing that is required of you and it is not permissible for you to do other than that if there is this possibility. In your inability to do this, then you must observe your Salaah in the bus/vehicle. If you can observe it standing, then it is not permissible for you to observe it sitting. Then observe it sitting if that is the only option available for you while in the vehicle.
Allah has said:
|فَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُمْ وَاسْمَعُوا وَأَطِيعُوا وَأَنْفِقُوا خَيْرًا لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ
“So observe the limits of Allah to the best of the abilitites you have been given. And listen, obey and spend, that is the best for yourselves”
What must be known to you in this regard is that there is no excuse whatsoever for the one who believes in Allah and the Last Day not to observe Salaah within the time span that has been stipulated for it. The only one that has a valid excuse is the one who is carried away by sleep, forgets of it or is reasonably oblivious of the time.
This that we have mentioned is the verdict passed by the Fuqahaa of all the cities from the various Madhaahib and there is no turning away from that for the one who believes in Allah and the Last Day.
And seek help in the meeting of the limits of Allah by Patience and Salaah…
Barakallahu Fikum
Jazakumullahu Khayran.
Abu Asim
25th Dhul Hijjah 1441AH.
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