Q: Because I work in shifts, the night shift makes it very difficult for me to wake up to perform Zhuhr (Noon) Prayer. I work as an airport technician at Riyadh airport all night long, which is quite exhausting. The shift ends at 7am and I go to bed at 8.30, as my home is half an hour away from (Part No. 7; Page No. 36) my workplace. Although I set the alarm clock at the time of Zhuhr Prayer, I suffer too much daily trying for an hour and half to get up. I do this so long as I am on the night shift which is forty five days. I sleep very deeply and have tried to convince officials to change my working hours to conform to Salah (Prayer) time, but they refused claiming that these work times are needed to serve scheduled flights.I also suffer the same problem while on the day shift, as I sleep only two or three hours before Fajr (Dawn) Prayer and can only get up after sunrise. Is it permissible to combine Zhuhr (Noon) and `Asr (Afternoon) Prayers while on the night shift? Please, advise! May Allah reward you with the best!

A: You have to offer Salah in congregation with fellow Muslim brothers. In this regard, you should fear Allah and strive to reach this goal. No doubt, you have to be keen to offer Salah in congregation based on the general purport of the Ayah (Qur'anic verse) that reads: Verily, As-Salât (the prayer) is enjoined on the believers at fixed hours. This means that Salah is to be offered at its times as defined by Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him). In fact, being on the night or the day shift is not a Shar`y (Islamic legal) valid excuse for combining Zhuhr and `Asr Prayers, or delaying the performance of Salah till after its time elapses. As a solution, you can delay going to bed a little till you offer Salah if its time is near. Otherwise, (Part No. 7; Page No. 37) you should sleep before the Salah time is due and do your best seeking all possible means that may help you get up at Salah time, such as setting your alarm clock at Salah's time or telling your family members or neighbors to awaken you, which is a possible matter.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.