Delaying Maghrib Because of Being Busy in the Shop

Question

A certain man is engaged in trade. When the time of Maghrib comes, this shopkeeper goes to the mosque to pray and seats another man in his place to run the shop. When the shopkeeper returns after praying, he sends this other man to pray, who has not yet prayed Maghrib. By doing this, it becomes the last part of the prayer’s time. He habitually does this every day. Is his prayer valid when done this way or not?

Answer

The best course is to perform every prayer in congregation, going to the mosque and joining from the first takbir (takbir al-ula). To pray Maghrib by going to the mosque so late that the stars have crowded together and the end of the time has come is makruh tahrimi. Better than that is to take someone along and hold the congregation right at the shop within the mustahabb time.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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