Is It Permissible to Interrupt Prayer in Imminent Danger?

Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick

Question

In imminent danger, like an earthquake, should one try to escape or may one remain making dhikr, accepting possible death? Which is preferable?

If in prayer during such danger, is it permissible to break the prayer to escape, or would staying and possibly dying be considered suicide?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to what pleases Him. Amin.

In the event of imminent danger, such as an earthquake, it is not only permissible but obligatory to interrupt one’s prayer in order to preserve life. [Misri, ‘Umdat al-Salik, Anwar al-Masalik]

Allah (Most High) says,

“And do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands…” [Quran, 2:195]

Islam values the preservation of life. The jurists agree that an obligatory act of worship, such as prayer, must not be interrupted without a valid excuse. As stated in al-Mawsu‘a al-Fiqhiyya al-Kuwaitiyya:

“Interrupting an obligatory act of worship after having started it without any Islamically acceptable justification is not permissible, according to the consensus of the jurists… (Allah says, “Do not invalidate your deeds.” [Quran, 47:33]) As for interrupting the prayer with an Islamically acceptable justification, that is prescribed… Undoubtedly, the occurrence of earthquakes, floods, and the like comes under the headings of excuses that make it permissible to interrupt the obligatory prayer. In fact, it must be interrupted in such cases, if by interrupting it the worshipper will be able to save himself or one of his brothers.”

The Shafi‘i School specifies that if one notices someone in immediate danger during the prayer, it is obligatory to act—even by speaking (thereby breaking the prayer)—to prevent harm (if by no other means). These principles affirm that acts of worship may be interrupted when life is at risk. [Misri, ‘Umdat al-Salik]

 

I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.