In an ideal world, it should feel effortless to practice your faith and your profession at the same time. However we all come across scenarios when our 9 to 5 can sometimes feel separate from our faith, but our working day can actually present countless opportunities to seek God’s pleasure. From making time for our prayers to treating colleagues with kindness and integrity, everyday moments at work can become ways to practice our faith.
In this blog, we’ll explore how small, intentional choices can help us stay connected to our faith while fulfilling our professional responsibilities.
Leaving for prayer or Jummah
This is a big one.
Thankfully many workplaces often have a prayer space or quiet area which can facilitate our needs. However, it can still be difficult notifying team members or your boss when you need to step out.
It is best to let your manager and team members know when beginning the job that you require some time to complete your prayers in the day. However, if this is not the case, there is the option of using your allocated break to complete your prayers.
It can be as simple as saying something like this:
Hi [Manager’s Name], I just wanted to mention something regarding my working day. As a Muslim, I need to take a few minutes during the day to pray. It would only require around 5 minutes, and I’ll make sure it has minimal impact on my work and responsibilities.
The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:
“Whoever forgets a prayer or sleeps through it, its expiation is to pray it when he remembers it.”
Depending on your role, there can be emergencies at work which may cause you to miss your prayer. Sometimes this happens, and it’s important to make up the prayer as soon as you are able to do so.
Workplace gossip.
It doesn’t matter what your work is, one thing is universal. Gossip.
It’s everywhere in the workplace, and can often go unnoticed. It can start as a simple offhand comment, seemingly harmless, and spiral into toxic rumours, scarily fast.
The Prophet Muhammed (PBUH), issued many warnings against gossip and slander. An example is the following hadith:
Hudhaifa reported that news reached him (the Holy Prophet) that a certain man carried tales. Upon this Hudhaifa remarked:
I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) saying: “The tale-bearer shall not enter Paradise.”
At times, it can feel as though you are almost obligated to join in with the gossip as a means to fit in (or save yourself becoming the next victim), which is an understandable feeling as peer pressure is also quite common.
However, we should try our best to remember this hadith and remain silent or try to exit the conversation when we’re faced with this. Alternatively, it can be nice to instead contribute some kind words about the person which resets the conversation instantly.
Dressing modestly
This one’s for Muslim women in particular.
Dressing modestly, especially wearing the hijab, in Western workplaces can make you feel out of place or self-conscious at times. But the hijab is an outward display of our faith; wear it with pride.
Something which may make it easier is looking for a role model in your workplace, perhaps someone in a higher role who manages to maintain their modesty whilst excelling at work.
Additionally, it can be helpful to find wardrobe pieces that fit both modest fashion whilst looking professional, therefore meeting both expectations.
Lastly, we would do well to remember that difficult paths become easier when walked in good company. Finding fellow Muslims navigating the same challenges can do us a world of good.
A great place to get more advice on this topic is our Roots for Professionals course, where we explore similar issues and solutions.