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Conceals his Islamic activities during working hours from his employer who may object

Question

At my workplace I have a lot of free time. That is apart from paperwork I am also standby for sales floor support. That is only when there is problem with cashier machines etc. I need to attend to it. I am also given a hand phone for them to call me if the need arise. There is a mosque nearby, so when there is nothing, I will go to the mosque for the Fardh prayers but my boss doesn't know that. I am doing my job properly and I think there is no need to get his permission to go to the mosque as my boss do not prefer Muslims and it is worst after the Sept. 11 tragedy. If I asked his permission then he may not allowed me and may keep an eye on me. My thinking is that as long I do my work with responsibility is enough. Is what I am doing correct or not in Islam? I can access to internet so during my free time I visit Islamic website for Quran reading and etc. in the course of my work is this allowed. Please answer.

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 ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

You do not have to seek the permission of the employer in order to go and perform the prayer in congregation because congregational prayer is an obligation according to the most preponderant opinion of the scholars  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  them.

Since going to perform the prayer in congregation does not affect your work, as you have stated in the question, then you do not have a valid reason for not attending because we have mentioned that it is an obligation to attend the congregational prayer unless you have a valid reason for not attending.

As regards your second question, it is not permissible for you to use the internet unless the employer or his deputy gives you permission to do so, and provided that this does not affect your work.

Allaah Knows best.

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