QUESTION:
As salaamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullāhi Wa Barakātuh,
I have recently graduated with an undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science. My first job is in a laboratory that produces vaccines. I am required to gown up and wear 3 levels of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) including lab coats, gloves and multiple masks. I am not permitted to interrupt the process of production in the first 4 hours, otherwise the whole batch of vaccines must be discarded with a value of $200,000 – $400,000. Maghrib time falls within the 4 hours of my afternoon shift (I have study commitments during the day). Is it permissible for me to delay my Maghrib Salah till after Maghrib time, as there is absolutely no provision for me to take a break within the first 4 hours of my shift?
Please advise.
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam Wa Rahmatullaahi Wa Barakaatuh,
Salah is a compulsory duty placed upon Muslims by Allah, and is attached to different timings during the day/night. Therefore, it is essential upon a Muslim to ensure that each Salah is performed during the time which Allah Has fixed for it. As much as possible, one is required to make every effort to perform Salah on its time and not make it Qadha (to perform it after its fixed time). This being the rule, you should try your best to get your ‘shift’ (if it is possible) during such a period where you will not miss your Salah ‘on time’. So, you can look at ‘fitting in’ your 4 hours at such a time where you will be free from the requirement of performing any of the Fardh Salah, either during the day or the night.
If you have other commitments during the day, then try to adjust the timings for these commitments so that they can all be accomplished with your work, in a manner that your five daily Salah can be performed within the timings which are allotted for them.
If you have tried your best to re-arrange your work schedule but could not switch it to other timings where you can perform your Magrib Salah within the allotted time, then you will have no choice except to do it as Qadha after you complete your work.
This however, should not become a continuous habit, but you must keep trying to get into a ‘working shift’ which does not prevent you from performing your Fardh Salah on time.
The act of doing Qadha of your Magrib Salah as mentioned above, must be understood as only a temporary one, and it should not be adopted as your permanent habit.
Please try your best to do that which is right in the sight of Allah, and He will make it easy for you.
And Allah Knows best
Mufti Waseem Khan
27/10/2022