Darul Uloom Trinidad & Tobago

QUESTION:

As Salaamu Alaikum

I have a few business-related queries: For a muslim business owner, is there barakah for his business or himself, if he closes his business during Jummah time? How is this affected, if a business is partially owned by a muslim? How is this affected where staff is of mixed religions, where only one or two may attend Jummah – keeping in mind the business may be either wholly owned or partially owned? Several times in the past, I’ve requested advice/information here, but I’ve only ever received one response.

ANSWER:

Wa Alaikum As Salaam,

What is required of a Muslim business owner at the time for Jumu’ah Salah is to leave all business dealings and go to the Masjid to offer Jumu’ah prayer. Therefore, it means that he must leave off buying and selling, sitting in the shop, doing the accounts, or any other matter that is connected to the business, and go to the Masjid when the Azan is called for Jumu’ah. This does not mean that the business/shop has to be officially closed. As such, if the Muslim business owner has non-Muslim workers at the store, then they can continue to work at the store (if it remains open), when the Muslim goes to offer his Jumu’ah Salah. There is no requirement for the Muslim to close the store. What is essential is that he presents himself for the Jumu’ah Salah when the Azan is given. The same will be for other Muslim adult  males upon whom Jumu’ah is compulsory.

Closing the business will not bring any barakah to the business or to the businessman. The barakah will come to him and his business when he fulfills his duty of the Jumu’ah Salah, and he does not allow the business to distract him from his Islamic duties. Barakah will also come to his business when he is honest, upright and a truthful businessman, who buys and sells only that which is Halaal, and he is not unfair to anyone. He must also pay his Zakaah (on time) when it is due, and should regularly give sadaqah to the poor and needy.

This will bring a lot of barakah to the business. If however, the Muslim business owner closes the business because he knows that by closing the business at Jumu’ah time he will have peace of mind (since his thoughts will not be pre-occupied in his business while in Jumu’ah Salah), and he will be more devoted and dedicated in his performance of the Jumu’ah Salah, then he will receive blessings from Allah for closing the business.

If a business is partially owned by a Muslim, then the business can continue to be opened during Jumu’ah time, but the Muslim must go to the Masjid for Jumu’ah Salah.

If the staff is of mixed religions, then the Muslim male adults must attend the masjid for Jumu’ah Salah, and the non-Muslims can continue their work at the business. If there are Muslim female adults at the business who are in the state where they can perform Salah, then they will not be required to attend the Masjid for Jumu’ah Salah, but they will have to perform the Dhuhr Salah. Having done that, they can work at the business during Jumu’ah time, since Jumu’ah is not essential upon them.

And Allah Knows best

Mufti Waseem Khan

09/05/2019