Most-asked question
How do I pray at work, school or university?
74 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Camperdown). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.
Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.
Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.
What the Darul Iftas say
“Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatuh It is permissible for one to pray on the carpet at work as long as there are no impurities on it. However, it is advisable that one does not pray directly on the carpet, rather he places a cloth on the carpet even if it be a thin one.”
“If the university is located in such a city or suburb where all the other conditions of Jumu’ah are found, then it will be permissible to perform Jumu’ah at the university. The university premises are generally kept locked because there is a fear of theft etc.”
“It is impermissible. School is not fardh, but jumuah is fardh.”
Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.
Read the fatawa
- Jumu’ah Salaah at UniversityIbn Masood · 22 Jul 2025
- Performing all one's salaah for the day after workMufti Online · 7 Jan 2024
- University and Hometown-Salah QueriesCamperdown · 3 Jun 2022
- Offering Salaah behind an Imam who changes his school of thoughtAsk Imaam · 3 Feb 2019
- University student delaying salaahMufti Online · 12 Sep 2019
- What can we do if our class times in school are the same as salaah times?Ask Imaam · 20 Nov 2018
- Missing Jumu'ah Salaah because of workMufti Online · 18 Feb 2013
- Can I pray Jumu’ah Salaah in my officeAsk Imaam · 18 Sep 2015
- Woman leaving out the sunnah salaah due to workMufti Online · 16 Oct 2021
- Am I considered a traveler and can I shorten and combine my prayers when I am at school?Ask Imaam · 21 Feb 2014
- Student performing qasar salaah in universityMufti Online · 18 Dec 2018
- Do I have the right to not work compulsory late shifts in the month of Ramadhan so as to be able to perform my Tarawih Salaah?Ask Imaam · 14 Jul 2013
- Performing qasar salaah in universityMufti Online · 17 Dec 2018
- Missing Jumuah Salaah due to schoolMufti Online · 20 Aug 2017
- Is it permissible to read salaah on a carpet that is used in the place where i work.Its a meeting room where we hold meetings with clients.Ask Imaam · 14 Jun 2009
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