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:

Assalam-o-Alaikum!

Iʼm working in a software house. In my office, there is no particular place for women to pray but still there is a separate area for namaz where everyone can offer namaz (but not at the same time). In this available area, there are no walls/curtains so when I use to offer namaz in front of all other co-workers. It is a fact that no body intentionally looks at me but I think that anyone can see me unintentionally and suddenly. So I started offer prayers in sitting position just to avoid this unintentional situations (non mehram looks me even it is unintentional). Now my question is that

Can I offer prayers in same manner?

Is it allowed in islam for a female to offer namaz (in sitting position) in presence of non-mehram.

Any other solution. Can I offer namaz in a proper manner (in standing position)?

I’ll be grateful to u for solving this problems.

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Answer:

Women pray in office

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Ibn 'Abbas, Ibn 'Umar and 'Aishah report that the Prophet (saws) said, "Allah does not accept the prayer of an adult woman unless she is wearing a ‘jilbaab’ (khimar, hijab, head-cover)."

Related by Bukhari and Muslim.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) commanded and declared it obligatory for the believing women to cover herself while offering her prayers in the exact same manner she is commanded to cover herself when in the presence of non-mehram adult males.

Thus beloved sister, as long as a believing woman is completely covered in the ‘jilbaab’ as Commanded by Allah Subhanah, it is permissible for her to offer her prayer wherever she wills to pray.

Your Question: can I offer prayers in same manner?

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 2.216 Narrated by Imran bin Husain

I asked Allah's Messenger (saws) about the praying of a person while sitting. He (saws) said, "If one prays while standing it is better, and one who prays while sitting gets half the reward of that who prays standing; and whoever prays while lying gets half the reward of that who prays while sitting."

Dear and beloved Sister in Islam, as long as you are completely covered in the ‘jilbaab’ when you offer your prayers, it would be best to offer the prayers in a standing position; for the intentional or unintentional look or glance of non-mehrams at the believing woman offering her prayers does not invalidate or effect the prayers of the woman in the least. Although it is permissible and acceptable in Islam for one to offer their prayers in a sitting position, they will receive only half the reward of those who pray in a standing position.

Your Question: Is it allowed in islam for a female to offer namaz (in sitting position) in presence of non-mehram.

It is absolutely lawful and permissible for a believer, male or female, to offer their prayers in a sitting position, if that is indeed what they wish to do….but they will be entitled to receive only half the reward of what they would receive if they offered the prayer in the standing position.

The presence of non-mehrams while one is praying does not effect the validity or acceptance of one’s prayer in the least.

Your Question: Any other solution. Can I offer namaz in a proper manner (in standing position)?

If as you have related you work in an office, and there is a place ear-marked for prayers, then it would obviously be best that you offered your prayers there preferably in the normal standing position so that you would earn the full reward for your prayers. As long as you are fully covered in the ‘jilbaab’ as Commanded by Allah when you are in the office and when you offer your prayers, the presence of non-mehrams in the vicinity makes absolutely no difference, nor does their presence effect the validity or acceptance of your prayers.

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan