Can Management Deny Prayer Time for Muslim Employees Without Legal Issues?

Dear Seniors and Experts,

I am working as a P.O. for a Pig Iron manufacturing plant with a capacity of 300 employees. Here, the majority of the employees are Hindu and Muslim. Some Muslim employees perform Namaz at our plant in a shed, taking half an hour to one hour for prayer. I would like to know whether the management can deny permission for the prayer as it affects our plant's work. Some Hindus also have objections on this matter.

Kindly suggest as per the law.

Regards,
Arabindo Patro
09341660990
patroap@yahoo.co.in

Hello,

"No" is a negative word; never say the same when you have to maintain control in delicate matters such as labor/politics and religion. The best way to prevent them from performing Namaz within the company is by building a shed at some distance from the office/factory. Also, place a Lord Ganesh in such a shed so as not to hurt Hindu workers' sentiments. Now, the management has to do all this by marketing the entire idea on the grounds of secularism and religious harmony. This should be done due to respect and care for the employees' religious beliefs and not as a way to stop employees from performing Namaz in the factory/office.

Additionally, you may set aside a specific time in the morning for religious activities. According to one study, prayers in group settings in offices and factories increase harmony and motivation.

Hope this helps.

Thank you,
Octavious

Dear,

Offering prayers during office time depends on the management. At the same time, all religions should be treated equally.

For Muslims, five-time prayers (Namaz) are compulsory and are easy to perform in Muslim countries and Muslim organizations. However, Muslim employees should not take this privilege as an advantage to kill time.

From your words, I understand that they take an hour to pray. No, absolutely it is wrong. For the afternoon (luhar prayer), it will take 20 minutes, and for the evening prayer at 4 pm (Asar), it will take 15 minutes, and for the evening (Magrib) prayer, it will take 15 minutes, which are sufficient. However, the afternoon prayer falls during lunchtime, which requires no additional mention. The evening prayer, falling after office hours at 6 pm, also does not need to be mentioned. Only the 4 pm prayer can be allowed for 15 minutes.

To accommodate employees of other religions, announce it as a tea break and make arrangements to inform the starting and closing times of such tea breaks.

Additionally, during Ramadan, Muslims fast for 30 days. The time for breaking the fast can be considered.

One more thing, during Ramzan, Muslims perform fasting for 30 days. In those times, the fast-breaking time can be considered.

One Mr. Mai asked you the meaning of Namaz. I hope he can find the answer from the above.

SM Sultan (SMS)

A workplace is a secular place (in the Indian context) where people of all faiths come and work, so ideally, religious activities of any nature should be avoided in the workplace.

In the case mentioned above, there is a provision for Namaz (as Kaza) which can be performed after your work hours; that's one. Secondly, Muslim workers can extend their shift by a suitable time. However, a cautious approach is required.

Dear Mr. Patro,
I do also agree with Mr. Sultan, daily prayers (compulsory on every muslim) do not take more than 20 minutes.
Maybe you are referring to Namaz – e – Juma offered once in a week on Friday's where one is required to go to the Mosque & it normally takes 1 hour to offer.
For the daily prayers it is not necessary for everyone to go at the same time, they can go in groups of 2/3 whereby work is not affected.
Islam says Allah does not accept any good deeds/prayers which gives trouble/loss to humans/animals or any creature.
They should also put in extra time in lieu of the time given for the prayers.
Mr. Shakir, Kaza is not a provision but is the last option which every Muslim should avoid, when you are unable to offer the Namaz due to unavoidable circumstances prescribed in Hadees.
We should ensure that we don't give opportunity to troublemakers.
Imran