Islam is a beautiful religion. It requires its followers to adopt a middle path when it comes to worldly obligations and our duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). It discourages both extremes, living a life of extreme asceticism or a life of complete worldly indulgence.
Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) says in the Holy Quran:
“But seek, through that which Allah has given you, the home of the Hereafter [yet], do not forget your share in the world. And do good as Allah has done good to you. And desire not corruption in the land. Indeed, Allah does not like corruptors.” [28:77]
Work and career-related commitments are a part of our worldly obligations. We must learn to develop a healthy balance between work and religious duties. The life of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) is the perfect example of this beautiful balance. He (ﷺ) worked as a merchant throughout his life while practicing and spreading the message of Islam.
A tradition narrated by Hazrat Aisha (رَضِيَ ٱللَّٰهُ عَنْهَا) goes as follows:
“Once the Prophet (ﷺ) came while a woman was sitting with me. He said, “Who is she?” I replied, “She is so and so,” and told him about her (excessive) praying. He said disapprovingly, “Do (good) deeds which are within your capacity (without being overtaxed) as Allah does not get tired (of giving rewards) but (surely) you will get tired and the best deed (the act of Worship) in the sight of Allah is that which is done regularly.” [Sahih al-Bukhari 43]
The hadith quoted above clearly indicates how too much worship, when it comes to the cost of ignoring worldly obligations, is discouraged. Adopting a middle path is the best option as it is what our beloved Holy Prophet (ﷺ) instructs us to do.
Ways You Can Balance Work and Prayer
Islam is a religion filled with ease, and if we seek Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) help, we can overcome any challenge. It may seem impossible at first. However, there are ways you can balance work and prayer in a way that neither is ignored in favour of the other.
Work is necessary if we wish to live a comfortable life here in this world, while prayer is necessary to gain Allah’s (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) pleasure and excel in the Hereafter. Here are some simple ways anyone can strike a balance between work and prayer:
Plan and Organize Your Day
You will be surprised by how much you can achieve if you plan your day right. Schedule your day in a way that leaves time for you to pray salah at the right time. Many utilize free time during work, like coffee breaks or lunchtime, to make time for prayer.
There are many tools available that will assist you in planning your day. Use mobile applications to make a to-do list and set reminders if necessary. Having everything written down makes it easier to track and complete all the tasks.
Checking tasks off a list is a convenient way to organize your day. it also means that you do not miss anything as everything is written down.
Remain Prepared
Always be prepared to offer Salah, as you never know when you can squeeze in time for prayer when you are particularly busy. We know that there are some perquisites to offering Salah. These include being in a state of wudhu (ablution), facing the qibla, and finding a clean space to pray in.
Try to be in a state of wudhu at all times. You can do this by ablution every time you use the bathroom. As for qibla direction, plenty of devices and mobile applications can point the accurate direction toward the Holy Kaaba.
Another helpful tip is always to keep a portable prayer mat. Portable prayer mats are small enough to be folded and kept in your pocket or bag. Prayer mats allow you to offer Salah on a clean surface.
Get Prayer Time Alerts
It is easy to miss a prayer or two when busy with work, especially during office times. This is particularly true for Asr and Zuhr prayers. Work can make you lose track of time and unaware of prayer times.
Many great apps give accurate Adhan alerts. Since these apps use location services, they provide prayer times according to where you are currently present. You can even customize the alerts, as many have the complete Adhan as a reminder, but you can change it to a vibration or inconspicuous ringtone. Once you get the alert, you can excuse yourself for a few minutes to offer Salah.
A great app is the Muslim and Quran app. It is an easy-to-use app that provides all kinds of Islamic content. You can access the Holy Quran and books on Hadith in various languages using the app. It also gives accurate prayer alerts.
This is the most reliable way to remain mindful of your prayer, and all it requires of you is to download a free mobile application. Many of these applications come with additional Islamic content that aids you with prayer and supplications.
Be Honest and Open
Most workplaces nowadays are tolerant and understanding. Diversity is encouraged and celebrated. You can share your beliefs and religious duties with your superiors and peers so they know you must also fulfill religious obligations at work.
You will be accommodated if the company is good and has an open and tolerant corporate culture. Your superiors will likely be flexible and allow you to pray during office hours. As long as you fulfill all your commitments at work and work well with others as a productive team member, no one should have any issues with you offering Salah at the office.
Seek Out Help and Guidance
Sometimes, all our best efforts are not enough. Work can become unmanageable, and making time for prayer on top of it can be nearly impossible. As a Muslim, you may feel like a failure as you are trapped between choosing your career or your Deen.
Many Muslims go through these same struggle’s day in and out. You are not alone, though it may feel like you are the loneliest person in the world. It can be pretty demotivating. But remember, with every hardship Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) provides ease and guidance. So, what better guidance is there than your community?
Connect with fellow Muslims through friends, the Islamic community center, or online forums. Talking to others and sharing your problems may be the solution. People provide excellent advice, especially those who have experienced similar circumstances. If nothing else, members of your community will keep you motivated through their words and support.
A single word of encouragement can make a huge difference when we are lost and at our lowest. Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى) has created the Muslim ummah to strengthen and help one another, and we must all tap into that power.
Giving It Your Best
Balance and equilibrium are desirable outcomes but may not always be the easiest path. Muslims are challenged with having to live in the world while still maintaining a strong sense of commitment and devotion to our faith. The two things may be mutually exclusive at times.
One area of life that requires balance is finding time to pray while working full-time. Most adults have very busy schedules, but that is no excuse for forgoing our duties towards Allah (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى). We mention some tips and ways that you can use to help you be punctual in your prayers while at work.
We must all fulfill all our commitments, be these work-related or otherwise. It may be difficult, but we have been given the strength to find a way. always give your best and work hard to fulfill every duty, be it worldly or towards your Creator (سُبْحَانَهُ وَتَعَالَى).
