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Fatwa CenterHis job makes it difficult for him to pray Thuhr or Asr in the Masjid
Question
I live in the United States, and Al-Hamdu Lillaah, I take praying Jamaa'h in the Masjid very seriously and there's nothing I hate more than missing the Jamaa'h. Al-Humdu Lillaah, I've been consistent in praying Fajr and Ishaa in the Masjid. Unfortunately, because of work, I miss either Thuhr or Asr (Jamaa'h). I have an hour lunch break which allows me to pray one (Thuhr or Asr) in the Masjid. Please advice me as to which has more reward in praying at the Masjid (Thuhr or Asr) as I know from the Qur'an that Allaah ordered the believers to safeguard their prayers, specifically the middle prayer and the scholars say that the middle prayer is the Asr prayer. And I also read a Hadeeth that the angels switch shifts during Asr and Fajr, and that Allaah asks them "how did you leave my servants" that reply "we left them praying". Do these two factors make Asr at the Masjid more preferred or is it all the same?
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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
First we thank you for being keen to perform your prayers in congregation. We ask Allaah to help you and enable you to remain steadfast on this. As regards when it is only permissible for you to pray one prayer in congregation either Thuhr or 'Asr, then we think that you should pray Thuhr in congregation as it comes first, Allaah knows best. If you pray Thuhr individually so that you will be able to pray 'Asr in congregation, it might be that something may prevent you from doing so, and therefore you will miss praying Thuhr and 'Asr in congregation. We ask Allaah to take our souls while performing good deeds.
Besides, there is no doubt that there are verses and Prophetic narrations about the superiority of 'Asr prayer over Thuhr prayer, but in our view you should pray Thuhr first in congregation to be on the safe side as this is being quick in the race for performing good deeds.
Allaah knows best.
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