Question Summary
How can I make time out of my busy schedule to attend the Masjid?
Question Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
It is a mercy from Allah Most High to this community (umma) that the entire world is a place where one can perform the prayer. In fact, this is one of the five things the Prophet (may Allah bless him and give him peace) listed as a blessing that He, as opposed to the other Prophets, was given.
He (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “I was given five things no Prophet was given before me: I’ve been aided with awe from a month’s distance away; the earth was made for me as a place of prayer and a means of purification – so if the prayer time comes to anyone of my community, let them pray; war spoils were made permissible for me, they were not permitted for anyone before me; I was given the intercession, and a prophet would be sent specifically to his people, and I was sent to all of mankind.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
This narration distinguished our Prophet and this community from previous communities who were not allowed to pray anywhere save their specific places of worship. This is a huge dispensation and facilitation from Allah Most High for this community.
Quality Over Quantity
You should not feel so bad that your circumstances don’t allow you to attend the Masjid constantly, but you should praise Allah Most High for putting the desire in your heart to attend His house.
One of the seven people shaded under the Throne of Allah Most High on the Day of Judgment is the person whose heart is attached to the Masjid.
Since your circumstances don’t allow you to frequent the Masjid, you should seek to attend the Masjid, according to your ability, for some prayers throughout the week. If you can attend the Fajr and Isha prayer daily, you will have gained a great blessing.
The Merits of Fajr and Isha in the Mosque
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Whoever prays Isha prayer in congregation, it is as if they stood half the night (in worship). And whoever prayer the Dawn prayer in congregation, it is as though they stood the entire night (in worship).” [Muslim]
He also said, “Give glad tidings to those who walk in darkness to the Mosques of a complete illumination on the Day of Judgment.” [Tirmidhi]
Praying in Congregation
If you find that you cannot attend the prayer in the Mosque, know that the virtues and merits of praying in the congregation are not limited to congregational prayers held in the Mosques. One can achieve the rewards of the congregation (even if performed with one other person) whether one is home, at school or at work.
Try to encourage other Muslims at your job or school to take their breaks at the same time and pray in the congregation.
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Congregational prayer is more superior than the individual’s prayer by twenty-seven degrees.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
Itikaf (Spiritual Seclusion) in the Mosque
Though your work timings may prevent you from attending the congregational prayers in the Mosque, it is still meritorious and spiritually nourishing to spend time in the Mosque.
If you were to spend some time in the Mosque before returning home or during your break – to read Qur’an, pray voluntary prayers, or reflect and remember Allah Most High, you would achieve a great reward.
Imam Muhammad (Allah have mercy on him) of the Hanafi school considered voluntary Itikaf and emphasized sunna and allowed it for any time period regardless of whether one is fasting or not. For this reason, anyone who visits the Mosque should intend ‘Itikaf as long as they remain in the Mosque. For this, they will be greatly rewarded.
Advice
It is easy for one to see the religious and worldly aspects of their life as a paradox that they are torn between. However, the Muslim is the one who does all endeavors seeking the pleasure of Allah Most High, whether that means performing the prayer in the Mosque or working to support their family; both of these are acts of worship that one draws near to Allah by. The only difference is that one can become heedless of righteous intentions in worldly deeds.
It is by righteous intentions and upholding the Sacred Law during them that one draws nearer to Allah in all aspects of their life. This is one of the subtle meanings in the statement of Allah Most High, “I have not created the Jinn nor the Humans except to worship Me.” [Qur’an; 51:56]
Hope this helps
Allah knows best
[Shaykh] Yusuf Weltch
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani