Praying at school

August 14, 2024
Answered by Mufti Ismail Moosa
Copy Link
?

Question

Assalamu alaykum,I live in Italy and no school lets you pray because they don’t like our religion. And in my school I have problems praying on Tuesdays and Thursdays because I stay until 4 p.m. and dhuhr starts at 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., the problem is that if a teacher sees you enter a classroom or something like that he stops you, and I have nowhere to pray, and I can’t leave this school because this is my last year. Even if I wanted to pray in some classroom I can’t because they are closed, the only place are the runners where as soon as they see you they stop you immediately.What can I do? Can i pray duhur at home together with asr?

✓

Answer

Wa’alaykum as-Salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuhu,

Given your situation, where it is challenging to find a suitable place to pray Dhuhr during school hours, you have a few options:

Solutions:

    • Speak with School Administration: If possible, explain your situation to a school administrator. They might be able to provide you with a designated space or time for prayer.
    • Use Break Times: If there are breaks or any free periods between classes, consider using that time to perform your prayer in a discreet location.

 

Preparation and Planning:

    • Plan Ahead: Carry a prayer mat and a small bottle of water for wudūʾ. Look for a potential location within the school where you might be able to pray discreetly or seek permission from staff to use a specific area.

 

No Other Alternative:

    • Praying Later If you cannot find a solution and are unable to pray Ḍuhr within its designated time, you may combine your Ḍuhr and ʿAṣr prayers within the ‘Aṣr time. Perform Ḍuhr first and then ʿAṣr within its time. Ensure to make Istighfār (seeking forgiveness) for the delay of the Ḍuhr prayer.

 

Praying Before the Time:

    • Permissibility: It is not permissible to pray before the time has set in. Ensure your prayers are performed within their respective times as prescribed, or you can make up for them in extreme cases are the time has lapsed.

 

And Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Answered by: Mufti Ismail Moosa