The Ruling on Praying in Offices, Institutes, Companies and the like

Question :

The Head of the Organization for Ordering the Good and Forbidding the Evil in our town requested that every employee in the bank should perform the Zuhr prayer in the mosque which is next to it, while the Manager of the bank considers that the bank employees should pray in congregation inside the bank. We request a legal verdict on this.

Answer:

The spoken and practical Sunnah of the Messenger shows that the correct practice is to perform prayer in congregation in the mosque. And the Prophet intended to set fire to the houses of those who did not do so while they were in them. And it has been reported that the caliphs and the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, and those who followed them used to perform the prayer in congregation in the mosques. And it has been authentically reported from the Prophet that he said :
"Whoever heard the call (to prayer) and did not answer it, there is no prayer for him, unless he has an excuse (i.e. due to illness or travel).

It has also been authentically reported from him that a (blind) man said to him: "O Messenger of Allah! I have no guide to lead me to the mosque; is there any license for me to pray in my house?" The Messenger of Allah replied:
"Do you hear the call for prayer?»

He replied: "Yes." So Allah's Messenger said:
Then respond to it.

In another narration, he said:
"I do not find any license for you.»

Thus, it is clear that it is an obligation on the bank employees to perform the Zuhr prayer in congregation in the mosque which is beside them, in accordance with the Sunnah and fulfillment of their obligations and in order to prevent any excuse for avoiding the performance of prayer in the mosques, and to avoid any resemblance with the hypocrites.

And through Allah is attained success. And may peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and friends.