Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Assalamualaikum, My question is regarding the prayers I'm a school girl studying in Oman and the problem for me is that i cannot pray Zohr when i stay after school because my school isn't an islamic school. But still i pray Zohr prayers in an empty classromm during the one hour break. Is it permissible for me to pray like that in a school where there are students of different religions.
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Answer:

Can one pray anywhere?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and who-ever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Jazak Allah Kheir for asking the question and also for your kind words of encouragement. We provide this service, only for the Pleasure of Allah Subhanah, and hope and pray he accepts our humble contribution in His Cause.

Allah says in the Holy Quran regarding prayer in Chapter 29 Surah Ankabut verse 45: …and establish Regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains one from shameful and evil deeds. And the remebrance of Allah, without a doubt, is the greatest thing. And Allah knows the deeds that you do.

It has been reported in an authentic narration that: a man came to the Prophet (saws) and said “ O Prophet of Allah (saws), what is the act or deed most loved by Allah?”

The Prophet (saws) replied: “To pray ones prayers on time.”

The man asked further: “What (deed or act most loved by Allah) next?”

The Prophet (saws) replied: “Obedience to ones parents.”

The man asked further: “What (deed or act most loved by Allah) next?”

The Prophet (saws) replied: “Jihaad in the Way of Allah.”

The Prophet (saws) said in another authentic narration that: “Allah has made the whole earth a “masjid” for the believers, so pray wherever it is easy or conveient for you.”

Thus the answer to your question, in light of the Holy Quran and the tradition of the Prophet (saws), is that it is perfectly permissible in Islam for you to pray, wherever you are, at the prescribed time for your prayer. Your school, or the other students of different religions have no bearings on your prayers. And being a girl, it would definitely be advisable and more appropriate for you to pray in the empty classroom, out of the sight of other men and boys.

You have made us all proud as muslims, through your email today. Allah has blessed you with the knowledge and understanding of the importance of your obligatory prayers at this early age. May Allah make you steadfast in your prayers and reward you for your best deeds on the Day of Judgement.

Allah alone knows Best, and He is the Only Source of strength.

May Allah guide you and us all to the Straight Path of Islam.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan