Where Can I Pray If My Non-Muslim Family Does Not Allow Me To?

Answered by Ustadha Shazia Ahmad

Question

I have a friend (female) who recently converted to Islam from Hinduism. She is facing difficulty in following the din, especially offering Salah, as her family hates Islam and threatens to end all relations, after which she would have nowhere to go, and she can’t afford that. She is at home 24 hours a day, and if she closes the door to pray, then they doubt and question her. What could be done in her situation as she loses motivation to carry on with the salah and the religion.

Answer

Thank you for your question. I am so sorry that your friend is going through this hardship, but with this difficulty will come ease, and rest assured that Allah knows her heart.

Prayer

Since she is not able to pray anywhere without suspicion or harm, then she can pray in the bathroom. She should just put the toilet seat down, make sure the ground is pure, and perhaps run the shower while she prays. In sha Allah, her family will calm down over time; I advise her to keep firm in her faith and to treat them well. She should do what she is able to and learn with baby steps. There is no rush and no reason to take on more than she can bear.

Resources

Please see these excellent tips from converts and others:
Can I Pray in the Toilet Out of Necessity?
A Convert Dealing with Non-Muslim Parents

New Converts: Do What You Can, but Strive to Do Better
New to Islam Reader: A Trusted Collection of Resources for Converts

Tell her to derive strength from this verse, “O you who believe, seek help through patience and prayer. Surely, Allah is with those who are patient.” [Quran, 2:153]