Q: Asalamualikum Imam, hope you’re well inshallah. Since I work usually a 8-12 hour shift everyday, and miss most of my prayers, is it
possible to do them all at once ahead of time? For an example, if I pray my Fajr prayer on time can I pray Dhuhr, Asr, & Maghrib with it because I know it’s not possible to take so many breaks at work to pray? I’m also afraid if I take so many breaks that will be their excuse to fire me.  Thank You!

A: Walaikumsalam, your question is well appreciated. Prayer brings success in a person’s life. Everything we have ever derived is from our Creator Allah (subhanahu wa Ta’ala). We may have an excuse to not give charity, may not be able to go for Hajj, hajj, etc. But we have little excuse to not pray, nor do we have an excuse to not pray at the given time or pray during the range of time for a given prayer. ‘The range’ or flexibility with time is what I am to focus upon based on your needs.

1. For a person to pray out of its time without a valid excuse is undoubtedly a sin.
2. Praying at the wrong full-time intentionally lowers the quality of our imaan.
3. It would be better for you to do the following: when its time for you to pray ‘Asr, and you know that you are going to be working during Maghrib, merely await till the almost end of ‘Asr time. For example, ‘Asr ends at 8:20pm and Maghrib starts at 8:21, perform your ‘Asr and await the time of Maghrib , then perform the Maghrib prayer.  This way you can accomplish two prayers that are very close in time proximity yet reading each prayer on its ‘time range’.

Likewise, a similar rule can be used form other prayers. People that rigid would say that the above is incorrect. The answer is based on the concept of necessity as outlined in your question. Islam is a rational as well as logical religion that takes various situations like yours into consideration.

From your email address, I gather that you are student at a local community college. I appreciate your question. I also appreciate you wanting to do the best thing in your situation. May Allah the Almighty  guide you as He has guided us, ameen

Allah Certainly Knows Best.