Does a doctor sin by missing congregational prayers in the mosque for the sake of patients, and by leaving patients waiting for him to finish Friday prayers?
Islamic is built upon ease and facilitation. Therefore, it has permitted the ترك (abandonment) of congregational prayer for certain excuses, among which is caring for the sick. This has been mentioned by فقهاء (jurists) such as Ibn 'Abidin, An-Nawawi, Al-Mardawi, and Ibn Hazm. It is hoped that the doctor who seeks reward and alleviates the suffering of patients will be granted the reward of congregational prayer.
As for Jumu'ah (Friday) prayer, the excuses for abandoning it are the same as those for abandoning regular congregational prayer. If there is an emergency case in the clinic that requires immediate intervention, this is an excuse for abandoning Jumu'ah, and one should pray Dhuhr (noon prayer) instead. However, if there are no urgent cases, one can leave the patients and go to pray Jumu'ah. The Permanent Committee has issued a permitting a doctor to abandon Jumu'ah prayer if he is on duty and his departure would result in great danger, and he should pray Dhuhr in congregation if possible.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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