Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

Is my job in Ship haram?  I work in the merchant navy. Local imam told me, my job is haram since I cannot attend Juma in the whole contract(6 months). I finished training at sea, now I am studying to get a licence, I  already spend a lot of money, Insha Allah within two months I will finish all my exams. What I will do now?

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said: “Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Saaiduna Adam Alayhis salam was created. It was on this day he was granted entry into paradise, it was on this day that he was removed from Paradise and the Day of Resurrection will also take place on this day.” (Sahih Muslim p.282 v.1)

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said; “Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durud on me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day.” The companions asked; “O! Prophet of Allah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death?” The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam replied; “Allah has made the earth haram upon the Prophets forever.” (Sunan Abu Dawud p.157 v.1)

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said; “Friday is the mother of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah (SWA). In the sight of Allah (SWA) it has more greatness than Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adhaa.” (Sunan Ibn Majah p.76 v.1)

With regards to your questions, if a traveler decides to stay in a particular place for more than fifteen days in a particular place, then Jummah Salah becomes obligatory upon him and will be considered sinful if he fails to pray it. (Bahrur Raaiq p.140 v.2) However, one of the conditions of Jummah is that it should be performed in a town or a city.

The definition of a large town is where the number of males upon whom the Jummah Salah is compulsory is so large that no mosque in the town could accommodate all of them together.   (Ilmul Fiqh p.146 v.2)

Another definition of Mufti Mahmood Saheb (RA) is that the village is such that there are shopping malls, basic necessities can be found and the local population is between three and four thousand.   (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah p.301 v.1)

Therefore, Jummah cannot be performed on a ship or somewhere out in the sea. (Fatawa Mahmoodiyah p.226 v.14)

The upshot of all this is that in your present situation Jummah is not obligatory upon you, hence, you can continue with your job.

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham