Caring more for your job than your soul: Would you accept that?

[N. Truth Seeker]

As-Salam Aleykom everyone.   This is interesting.   Someone residing in Morocco put this query in one of the Islamic Q&A outlets which was answered by some shaikh, Abd ar-Rahman al-Barrak (of whom I have not heard).  I am quoting the question and the response.  The response may sound logical to many from the worldly or the very practical view point.  Yet it I have a hunch that there is something not right about that answer.   

Quoting the Q&A.  Would appreciate if you guys read with a feedback before I take up this topic at our monthly discussion session of my community group. 


QUOTE:

Q.  “There is a man who works as a security guard in one of the hotels in Marrakesh, Morocco. His job requires him to lock the door and open it if one of the hotel guests come that way. His problem is that when he wants to offer the obligatory prayer and starts to pray, one of the guests may come and knock on the door. Is it permissible for him to interrupt his prayer in order to open the door, or should he carry on praying?”

A.  “If he has nearly finished his prayer, a slight delay to open the door will not matter, he should complete his prayer quickly and open the door. But if he has just started to pray, any delay in opening the door could affect his job.  Then it is permissible for him to interrupt his prayer and open the door, as it is a case of necessity.  And Allah knows best.”

UNQUOTE:

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Walaikum As-Salam brother.    I agree it is a situation where one could lose their job if they don't interrupt their prayer.  However interruption of prayer every now and again is a sign of disrespect toward The Almighty which should not happen all the time.  But in this case it’s not the fault of the security guard.  It’s his supervisor or boss who are to blame.  In Muslim countries I would certainly expect workplace arrangements to be geared up for accommodating prayer times.  They should either have two security guards on duty so that when one goes to pray the other is available to answer the door.  Or, during prayer times when the security guard isn’t at the door, some other member of the staff should be there until the guard finishes his prayer and returns to his seat.  The duration won’t be more than 15 or 20 minutes max.  Should not be a problem at all.

[Zainab_M]

The staff needs to discuss this matter with the management.  It’s not a difficult issue to resolve.  Many workplaces in Muslim countries have prayer rooms where employees take a few minutes break to do their fard salah, even if the workload is too much to accommodate nafl.  The job of a hotel security guard shouldn’t be any different.  If there is a will, there is a way.  Accommodating prayer times by making brief arrangements on the lines Sister Heba suggested should not pose a problem at all especially in a Muslim country where the significance of salah is known to everyone and how simple it is to manage it with work.  However, even in many Muslim countries there are some hardcore secular bigots with an aggressive and bias stance which leaves the poor employees helpless .. and in most such cases the employees don’t have a union either.  So, InshAllah, it is very likely that Allah Almighty, Who knows the entire truth, will forgive this security guard. 

[Ruhi_Rose]

Unfortunate to face such a situation in a Muslim country.  In the West it happens all the time.  But Muslim countries ought to be more understanding of factual matters. Totally agree with the responses of the sisters;  got nothing to add except that if that guy finds another job more considerate and accommodating he should take it even if it means a slight decrease in his financial perks .. and  I am sure it won’t as the work of a doorkeeper opening and shutting the door for hotel guests sounds like no genius job.  Almost any other work might be financially more lucrative. 

[N. Truth Seeker]

Thank you very much for your discerning perspective sisters.  My family and I were also thinking on very similar lines.  Unfortunately Morocco doesn't behave like a Muslim state any longer.  I mean, the people are generally good and Faith oriented, but the government institutions and private job & economic sectors care only for money .. the government additionally cares for keeping itself in power.   There have been reports of people in Moroccan prisons being punished & humiliated in the most immoral of ways for reciting the Noble Quran slightly aloud.  Not surprising for a country of this mindset to only care for its hotel guests without a thought for even the basic entitlements of the staff.

[Heba E. Husseyn]

Ditto brother.  Morocco has fallen from the heights through history.