Let me Reply to Everyone
To skhadir
In India, its very difficult to find a CLEAN place within an organisation for offering OBLIGATORY PRAYERS. Hence, you may create a SMALL PLACE and keep it CLEAN. At times, you can even PRAY ALONE if, you are not in a position to PRAY-IN-TIME. If you can pray with JAMAT, you can pray ALONE.
You got me wrong brother. Finding a clean place is a requirement for prayers, not an issue which I intended to raise. I was asking of the very permission to pray during the office hours (in office premises or elsewhere). It happened with a female classmate of mine that she was categorically denied to pray in her office on the reasoning that if they allow her to do her prayers in the office, next they have to permit Hindu employees to bring ghanti (prayer bell) in the office and do their Pooja. She was working in a big Indian IT company (99.9% of the people know that company and it is one of the highest ranking organizations in Best Employer Rankings) in Noida as a HR Executive. (I have no problem in naming that company if it’s allowed by citehr rules to do so)
Regarding the meetings, it don't think so, its happening every day between you and your CEO especially during PRAYER HOURS. If it is, you may talk to your CEO and request him to re-schedule the MEETING TIMINGS.
Again, I think I should have made my post more detailed. I wasn’t talking of an actual meeting with a CEO of the company. I was just giving an example that even such an important task of meeting with the CEO wouldn’t relax the obligation for offering prayers for a Muslim. I was implying that what would be the tolerance level of the corporation for such an employee who can avoid every single important work of the organization for his personal religious reasons.
You can avoid it and its not NECESSARY to SHAKE HANDS with FEMALES. NO ONE WILL FORCE/COMPEL YOU TO SHAKE HANDS WITH FEMALES AGAINST YOUR WILL.
I was selected as a HR intern in a very big IT company and the HR Head (Male) took me to meet my immediate supervisor (Female) and she forwarded her hand and with all respect, I declined to shake her hands and I was rejected immediately on the grounds that ‘conservative’ people like me are not accepted in his organization and I would present a very bad picture of the organization to prospective employees during interviews. (Again, I can name the HR head and the company and the company proudly present itself as ranked in Top 50 "Best Companies to Work for in India - 2011" by Great Place to Work).
You may request other MUSLIMS NOT TO DO WHICH IS AGAINST THE WILL OF ALLAH
I am not at all concerned what other Muslims might be doing in the same organization. I only want that my employer don’t isolate my actions to tell me that why I am acting ‘extremist’, ‘strange’, while other muslims (in the same organization) aren’t doing so.
if it is HELPING YOUR ORGANISATION, PLEASE DO IT
Again, I am asking this question because one of my Hindu friends has worked for around 4-5 years as a HR executive in one of the top MNC in Gurgaon and he told me that its common practice to do manipulation and forging of HR audits so that to present a ‘acceptable’ picture to seniors. Again, it might be helping the organization but if it’s a lie, it’s a lie. If it’s cheating, its cheating and there’s no compromise on it, period!
AGREE. Its your LIFE, you DECIDE in what way you want to LIVE. You may take support of ANNA HAZARE to get rid of CORRUPTION or to STOP people from PRACTICING UNETHICAL HABITS.
I am not at all asking of my personal choice to not pay bribes. I am asking what if I am asked by my seniors to do so for acquiring some benefit for the company.
AGREE. WHO ASKED YOU JOIN? IF YOU JOIN, WHO ASKED/FORCED YOU TO DRINK ALCOHOL ETC AGAINST YOUR WILL
No one can force me to join but what I asked is the acceptance level of such an employee who wants to remain totally isolated from all such social events(involving the mentioned things). Moreover, I believe a HR person may be required to arrange such parties occasionally.
Please perform your PRAYERS-IN-TIME and if you cant due to GENUINE REASONS, you can perform after some time. ALLAH WILL FORGIVE YOU AND REMEMBER HE IS WATCHING EVERYONE.
Brother, presently I am on the verge of completion of my MAHRM and I am also a student of Bachelor of Islamic Studies from an online university and also studying Islam (informally) since the last 4-5 years. What could be the ‘supposed’ genuine reasons for a Muslim male to not offer prayers? Prayers were also offered in the battlefield and as per teachings of Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be Upon Him), if one can’t prayers standing, he must do it sitting, if not sitting, then lying down, if not by lying down, then at least by actions and if that’s also not possible, then the person has to do it in his mind, if he’s conscious and sane.
To nashbramhall
“Point 4 should also be not a problem as people will understand, as shaking hands with a woman is not not normal Indian practice. One can do Namasthe (that does not mean bowing the head), It is just a way of greeting in India.”
I was selected as a HR intern in a very big IT company and the HR Head (Male) took me to meet my immediate supervisor (Female) and she forwarded her hand and with all respect, I declined to shake her hands and I was rejected immediately on the grounds that ‘conservative’ people like me are not accepted in his organization and I would present a very bad picture of the organization to prospective employees during interviews. (Again, I can name the HR head and the company and the company proudly present itself as ranked in Top 50 "Best Companies to Work for in India - 2011" by Great Place to Work).
“As India is a Secular country, the organisations just cannot cater to the needs of anyone religious community's requirement. Hence, you will find that certain of the above 12 needs may need to be compromised”
Again, a practicing Muslim can’t compromise point 10 and 11. Those Muslims compromising point 10 and 11 are either ignorant or plainly careless about their faith (i.e., not practicing)
“For example, getting away from meetings to offer prayers in Points 1 and 2. Companies cannot afford o give extra time for prayers and the concerned staff member would be required to work extra time to compensate for the time taken for the prayer.”
Not at all a problem, I thought it was implied in my statement that if I am taking time-off for prayers during work hours, I must necessarily compensate by working over-time. I have no problem in doing so. In fact, it’s the other way round, if I am not doing extra time and getting the same salary (i.e., without deductions), I am dishonest to my employer.
“Regarding Point 2, I wonder what the Quran says about going to a mosque if it is not in the close vicinity!!”
As such there’s nothing in Quran or any other authentic hadith (statement of Prophet) defining the distance of the mosque to be considered valid for offering Jumuah prayers. In fact, as per the majority opinion of the Islamic scholars, a mosque isn’t a necessary requirement for offering Juma’h (Friday) prayers (i.e., in absence of a dedicated mosque, 2 or more Muslims can make a congregation in any place and offer Friday prayers). If the mosque isn’t in close vicinity (that’s the reason I mentioned 45 to 1 hours because I included the traveling time and the actual prayer time), one can just make a congregation of 2 or more Muslims in any place and offer the Jumua’h prayers. Actually, once I get the actual permission to offer prayers, where to offer prayers is flexible in nature and can be decided upon as the respective situation. I only asked of the very permission to go out of the office on every Friday afternoon for 45 mins to max 1 hour.
“I hope I am not hurting anyone's feelings. If I have please accept my apologies.”
You aren’t hurting anyone feelings. I genuinely appreciate that you took your time to answer my queries.
To sajidmamba
I wonder which city are you working and which company considers all points from 1 to 12 ? I am delighted to work in such a company
To naziyasm
“Am sorry to say this is not the topic to be discussed on Citehr kindly meet your mosque priest he will guide in context to quran guidelines.”
Its very much to discussed here only because I need the answer from working professionals, not from mosque priest.
“Kindly correct your thinking we dont have muslim by faith or name. Muslim is just a muslim he just needs Hidayat from Allah.”
Brother/Sister, with due respect, I want you to learn more about Islam before commenting on things you don’t know. I am informally studying Islam since the last 4-5 years and since last year, I am doing Bachelor of Islamic Studies. There’s indeed a difference between a Muslim by tongue and a Muslim by Faith. The difference is even mentioned in Qura’n. This is not a place for discussion on Islamic theology. I don’t want to deflect on the original topic. If interested, you can take my email or phone number and we can discuss the same.
“Offering Namaz for five times read farz namaz for that if your work load is heavy.”
Obviously, I am talking of at least Farz namaz. I am not including Sunnah. In 15 minutes, one can only offer Wudu and do 4 Rakaat Farz Namaz.
“Friday namaz u can skip bayan before namaz & it will not take 1 hr right. just request ur management to change ur lunch timings on Friday”
Ofcourse, I am not talking about Bayan, i am just referring to khutbah and the actual namaz. But I also included the distance for going and coming back to Namaz. If you mean the Khutbah (in Arabic) to be Bayan, then sorry that can't be skipped because it is a part of Namaz.
“Fasting is not a problem u can fast.(kindly explain what is the problem in fasting) During fasting we cant ask for concession we have to work as normal day.”
I am never talked of any concession; neither had I wanted a concession of even a single minute. I won’t even have given any sort of concession (except for breaking Iftar) to other Muslims if I were to be a supervisor/superior. I am only asking that what if a ‘very important’ business lunch is scheduled during the month of Ramdaan and I have to deny the request because I am fasting.
“No female will ask u to shake hands. just as samb said do namaste.”
I was selected as a HR intern in a very big IT company and the HR Head (Male) took me to meet my immediate supervisor (Female) and she forwarded her hand and with all respect, I declined to shake her hands and I was rejected immediately on the grounds that ‘conservative’ people like me are not accepted in his organization and I would present a very bad picture of the organization to prospective employees during interviews. (Again, I can name the HR head and the company and the company proudly present itself as ranked in Top 50 "Best Companies to Work for in India - 2011" by Great Place to Work). Not only that, I was severely rebuked for being a fanatic and extremist for doing so by a teacher of mine in the university where I study (and guess where I study, it’s Jamia Millia Islamia). And before this scolding, I was rebuked by two other teachers of my college for the same issue (Ironically, one was Muslim amongst the three).
“Keep your records updated then the problem of cheating will not arise.”
Obviously, I will keep my records straight and I am only asking if the seniors would ask me to do some manipulation. Again, I am asking this question because one of my Hindu friends has worked for around 4-5 years as a HR executive in one of the top MNC in Gurgaon and he told me that its common practice to do manipulation and forging of HR audits so that to present a ‘acceptable’ picture to seniors. Again, it might be helping the organization but if it’s a lie, it’s a lie. If it’s cheating, it’s cheating and there’s no compromise on it, period!
“Boss is asking u to forge documents u r not insisting on forge document Allah knows what u r dont worry just pray for ur boss.”
This is not how it works in Islam, Brother/Sister! Allah says, “Help one another in righteousness and piety, but do not help one another in sin and transgression.” Surat Al-Ma'idah, (verse 2). If I assist my boss in doing sin, I would carry the burden of sin on my shoulders. So, I just can’t wash-off my hands by saying it was my boss who asked me to do so. Yes, there are certain things which are obligated by Government of India and I have no choice but to comply with the law of land because it was something which is enforced, not a matter of choice. (For e.g., writing/maintaining the PF/ESI records of employees is sin in Islam because of involvement of Interest/Gambling but since it’s a mandatory requirement of Govt. of India, one has no choice but to do it because he has to do it even in his company)
“we are religious tolerance people no problem in attending or arranging parties. Kindly take help of your mosque cleric he will explain u do's & dont's.”
Please don’t use the word, ‘we’. Talk for yourself. Islam is indeed but there are certain things a Muslim can’t do. I already know the Islamic rulings on the basis of which I am making such points.
“message ur problem in Istakara website they will reply you.”
This is not an issue of Istekhara. Istekhara has to be done in the case of deciding between two equally permissible matters and moreover, one does Istekhara himself (or herself), not asking others to do it. (Anyway, again this is deflecting from the topic)