Answered by Shaykh Nazim Mangera
I am a new Muslimah. I took my shahadah 3 months ago and I have been very happy with the path Allah has chosen for me, but it has certainly come with its challenges. I have not yet told my family or close friends of my decision, but Insha’Allah, I will soon and I pray Allah will guide my words and actions so I will have the fortitude to deal with their reactions.
Assalamu Alaikum,
Congratulations on making the best choice of your life by reverting to Islam. It is very heartwarming to hear that you are concerned about performing your prayers at work. There are millions of Muslims like you who are punctual with their prayers at work so never feel that you are alone in carrying out this noble command of Allah. If you will read the following links, Allah willing it will help you out. Whatever is mentioned already in the links, I don’t want to repeat it, therefore I will add on to what has already been written.
If you win over your colleagues at work then it will be easy to be punctual with your prayers. You can do the following things to win them over. Bring gifts for your co-workers. The way to a person’s heart is through the person’s stomach. Therefore, take them out for lunch or order a lunch for them from a reputable Muslim restaurant. Pick up the tab if you ever go out for lunch together. Bring a nice cake or biscuits and leave it by the coffee machine and let everyone know you put it there. Bring some home cooked food and share it with your colleagues. Be on good terms with your supervisor. Once they are on your side, then it will be easy for you to be punctual with your daily prayers.
Please read all the following well written links to get a complete answer to your question:
RE: Praying at the office
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00002949.aspx
RE: Praying at the Office It just isn’t possible sometimes!
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00002975.aspx
UK prayer rooms at work
http://www.sunnipath.com/resources/Questions/qa00003001.aspx
At lunch time, you could go outside and try to find a store or some safe place where it will be easy to perform your prayers. If you make a strong intention then Allah will make things easy for you.
May Allah make it easy for all of us to be punctual with our daily prayers.
Sincerely,
Nazim Mangera
Chicago