I did not use to pray while at work. I would wait till I get home and make up all the prayers that I missed during the day! It was becoming too much of a hassle because I would end up not concentrating enough to make my prayers, it was more like a marathon trying to rush from one to the other. So I brought my prayer rug and now I lock my office when it's prayer time and do my salah. The thing is,I'm always thinking that someone is going to knock at my door right when Im praying or that I will forget to lock it and someone will open the door right when I'm doing my sujud! Oh and did I mention the ordeal of making wudu at work? I'm always thinking that someone will walk in right when I have my feet in the sink so needless to say I'm always looking out for the slightest noise and watching right and left to see if anyone is coming in. I also try to go in the restrooms during low traffic hours, go figure if there is such a thing as low traffic hour in a restroom .I even make duah before getting in the restroom that noone will walk in while I'm there lol. Why am I so scared that someone will walk in while I'm making wudu? Does this happen to anybody? So I came accross this answer of Dr Siddiqui to someone who complained about wudu in the workplace and here is what he said:
A Muslim should not be ashamed of washing his face in the office bathroom. People stand up and urinate in the office bathroom talking to each other; if they are not ashamed of that, why should a Muslim be ashamed of washing his face? There is nothing un-civilized about washing ones face. Muslims should be bold and proud of their values and principles. Those who feel ashamed of making Wudu in front of others will feel more ashamed of offering prayers also. Feel happy that you belong to the Ummah of Purity and cleanliness. May Allah help us to spread cleanliness to our surroundings as well.
Subhanallah, I wish I had his confidence! It's not that Im ashamed of making wudu in public, its just that I wouldn't know what to say if my boss walked in while I have my right foot in the sink! I'd just be lost for words lol. It would obviously be a good opportunity for dawah but in a very akward kinda way.So, for me the tip for making wudu easier at work is to make wudu before you live your house and wear socks, that way if you break your wudu , you don't have to take your hijab off or wash your feet! You can just wipe over your feet and head.
As for the feet,
The way in which one wipes over them is to put one’s wet fingers on the toes then pass them over the feet to the shin; the right foot should be wiped with the right hand and the left foot with the left hand. The fingers should be spread when wiping and it should not be repeated.
Do you have any other tips or stories of praying at work to share?
