What is the ruling on praying Dhuhr in congregation in office workplaces, and sufficing with listening to a recording of prayer times instead of the Adhan, given the presence of a mosque near the building that is not affiliated with it? And how can one respond to those who make these arguments?

The default is for prayers to be performed in mosques, based on the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saying: "Whoever hears the call [to prayer] and does not respond, there is no prayer for him except for one with an excuse." And his saying to Ibn Umm Maktum: "Do you hear the call?" He said: "Yes." He said: "Respond." This indicates the obligation of congregational prayer in the mosque for whoever hears the call.

Whoever is close to the mosque such that they can hear the adhan without a loudspeaker, congregational prayer in the mosque is obligatory upon them. As for one who is far, attendance at the mosque is not obligatory upon them.

As for congregational prayer in offices, it is not sufficient because what is obligatory is performing congregational prayer in the mosque. It is permissible to pray in offices if going to the mosque leads to work disruption or employees tampering, or if the mosque is far, or if there is a benefit or need for it.

So, it is obligatory upon those who are close to the mosque to pray in it, and it is not permissible for them to pray in their offices except for an excuse, such as fear of employees neglecting their duties.