Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan was asked the following question:
Question:
What is the ruling if person misses Jummah four times? What is the ruling if he misses it due to him being far from a city which has Masaajid, even for a picnic/trip, (and it is the case that) if he was accompanied by his wife and children and they go outside the city every Friday because it is his time off from work?
Answer:
It is obligatory upon a Muslim who is not excused to attend Jummah and the congregational prayers because a severe threat was reported in regards to the one who misses Jummah and congregation. The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam wished to burn the houses of those stayed back from the congregational prayer and he described them with hypocrisy. A severe threat was reported in regards to them. There is a severe threat for staying back from Jummah without a legislated need. It is authentic from the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam that he said:
من ترك ثلاث جمع تهاوناً طبع الله على قلبه
He who leaves the Friday prayer (continuously) for three Friday on account of slackness, Allah will print a stamp on his heart.
[Saheeh Sunan Abi Dawood no.1052]
The Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam also said:
لينتهين أقوام عن ودعهم الجمعات أو ليختمن الله على قلوبهم ثم ليكونن من الغافلين
Either some people (i.e., hypocrites) stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless
[Saheeh Muslim no. 865]
It is not allowed to stay back from Jummah for other than a legislated excuse and it is not necessary for a person to continuously go out and leave Jummah and specify Friday for going out for a picnic and leaving Jummah. However, if he goes out sometimes and he is far from the masjid, so far that it is difficult for him to go the Jummah prayer, then he is excused, especially if with him are those whom he fears for from his family and mahaarim. He is excused in that situation and he should not take it as continous habit.
[Muntaqa min Fatawa al-Fawzan question no. 113].
What you should do is go to Jummah even if they do not allow you and you have all the right to do so.
The Permanent Committee was asked:
Question:
I hope for a fatwa about the prayer on Friday. Is it an obligation from the obligations or is it wajib? This is because I work in a factory of the disbelievers and I am not allowed to leave to pray Jummah. I’m confused due to the statement of Allah:
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 (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing)
[62:9]
and the statement of the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam: “The Jummah prayer is obligatory upon every Muslim”
Answer:
Jummah prayer is an obligation upon everyone who is legally responsible, male, and resident due to the verse mentioned in the question. It is not allowed to miss Jummah due to work, even if the employer prevents you because there is no obedience to the creation in the disobedience of the Creator. Also due to what is established from the Prophet sallahu alayhi wa salam. As for you statement: “The Jummah Prayer is obligatory upon every Muslim” then it is not a Hadith.
[Fatwa no. 12384]
Translated by
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan
Abu Sulaymaan
