Question:
Assalamualaikum ustaz. I have a girlfriend who has just embraced Islam. She is a teacher. When it is the school holidays, she’d go back to her hometown. Her family agreed to let her embrace Islam because she wanted to marry a Muslim. The issue is that she’s embarrassed to pray at her family’s house who are all have yet to embrace Islam fearing that she may get scolded or derided. What should she do?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and gratitude to Allah SWT for His countless blessings for us all. Praise and salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those who follow his footsteps until the Last Day.
Prayer is obligatory worship by everyone who is a Muslim who has pronounced the syahadah. Allah SWT states:
وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ
“And establish prayer and give zakah,” [1]
The Prophet PBUH said:
بُنِيَ الْإِسْلَامُ عَلَى خَمْسٍ ، شَهَادَةِ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ، وَإِقَامِ الصَّلَاةِ ، وَإِيتَاءِ الزَّكَاةِ ، وَالْحَجِّ ، وَصَوْمِ رَمَضَانَ
“Islam is based on five things: the testimony that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the observance of the prayer, the payment of zakat, the Pilgrimage, and the fast during Ramadan.” [2]
Hence, when a mualaf is now a Muslim, it is obligatory for her to learn the methodology of prayer and perform it according to what she is capable of as a person who is still learning Islam.
In the above issue, in our opinion, it is best to pray in her room. We would also like to advise her to not be afraid of her family if they have already agreed. Make sure that we perform our worship for the sake of Allah and not out of fear of creation. This is stated in the iftitah supplication that we recite in prayer:
إِنَّ صَلَاتِي وَنُسُكِي وَمَحْيَايَ وَمَمَاتِي لِلَّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ
“My prayer and my devotion, my life and my death belong to God, the Lord of the universe.” [3]
Likewise, commendable and honourable character and conduct should always be displayed as a form of indirect dakwah bil hal for one’s other family members.
May Allah give you the strength to continue praying without getting embarrassed but with izzah and honour.
Wallahu a’lam.