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Fatwa CenterChild should not obey parents if they request delaying prayers
Question
Hello my name is Aiman and I am looking for advice. I am a college student who works at my parents restaurant part time. My parents don't pray prayers on time and wait till they get home to make it up. I tell my mom this is wrong but she comes up with excuses such as Allah doesn't over burden us or there's nowhere clean to pray . Since I work for them they wont let me pray at work so I have to make them up at home. I know this is a major sin but I don't know what to do. I told my parents I was going to find another job that will let me pray on time but they threaten to kick me out if I do . Please tell me what I should do. Thank you.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Allaah, The Exalted, has designated a specific time for each obligatory prayer, specifying the beginning and end of them. He says (what means): {And when you have completed the prayer, remember Allaah standing, sitting, or [lying] on your sides. But when you become secure, re-establish [regular] prayer. Indeed, prayer has been decreed upon the believers a decree of specified times.} [Quran 4:103]
It is impermissible to delay performing the obligatory prayers without a legitimate excuse. What your mother told you about Allaah not holding one accountable for a burden beyond one’s ability is correct; however, what constitutes a hardship and burden should not be left to be decided by our personal whims and desires. Rather, it is decided by the Sharee'ah. The uncleanliness of the place is not a legitimate impediment for performing the prayers in their proper times, even if the place contained ritual impurities and not just filth which was not ritually impure. This is of course if we assumed that there was absolutely no clean place to perform prayer, which is rather unlikely.
Therefore, it is incumbent on you to perform the obligatory prayers on time and you should not obey your parents if they order you to delay them. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: “There is no obedience in matters involving disobedience to Allaah. Obedience is only in matters which are good.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim] For further benefit, please refer to Fataawa 84942 and 245677.
It is impermissible for you to keep your current job if it requires neglecting the prayer and failing to observe it on time. Do not pay attention to your father’s threats if you quit working with him and look for another job. No harm will come to you for you quitting this job and looking for another one free of what opposes the Sharee'ah.
You should also advise your parents to fear Allaah and perform the obligatory prayers on time, either directly or by asking someone else to advise them instead. They should also be reminded of the fact that upholding the prayer is a cause for blessing in one’s provisions.
Finally, you are advised to be dutiful and kind to your parents at all times. Showing dutifulness and kindness to them is one of the best ways to affect them. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 87573.
Allaah Knows best.
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