First Published in: The Significance of Friday (Jumu’ah) in Islam


 Life Style, The Muslim Society Aspects Of Islam, Life Guide, Practicing Islam Abeer Eltahan

     In Islam, Friday (Jumu’ah) is the most important day of the week -religion wise- due to the status given to it by God and His last Messenger Muhammad peace and blessings of Allah be upon him (PBUH).

Why is Friday (Jumu’ah) significant in Islam??? That is what we are discussing in this article.

Certainly, there are many reasons that are given in the Qur’an and Hadith to the significance of Fridays. Above all, the truth is that “It’s God’s will, way, and decree”, it’s as simple as that.

Here, we will numerate some of the causes and their evidence given in the Qur’an and Sunnah to explain in details the significance of Fridays in Islam:

1. Allah has made what He wills special:


    Allah has made what He wills special; places, times, people and so on. Subsequently, Muslims honor these too in obedience and in submission. So, that’s the first cause of significance; obedience and submission to God’s will, way and decree.


Allah says in the Qur’an,

O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed [diligently] to the remembrance of Allah and leave off [your] business. That is best for you, if only you knew.”          [Qur’an 62-9](1)

 The Friday’s congregational prayer (Jumu’ah) is very special in Islam. Most importantly, it’s an obligation on Muslim men to witness in a Masjid. On the other hand, it’s optional to Muslim women to witness in a Masjid. Not only it’s a time of worship, but also considered as a sermon, gathering and celebration. Muhammad, the last Messenger of Allah, PBUH said in a Jumu’ah (Friday congregational prayer),

Muslims! Allah has made this day a festival day so do ghusl, and it will not harm whoever has perfume to apply some of it, and use a tooth-stick.” (Muwatta Malik)(2)

2. Friday & the expiation of sins:


     It is not only the rewards but also the expiation of sins that Muslims seek by attending the Jumu’ah congregational prayer. Prophet Muhammad PBUH gives the glad tidings,

He who took a bath and then came for Jumu’ah prayer and then prayed what was fixed for him, then kept silence till the Imam finished the sermon, and then prayed along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven, and even of three days more.”(Imam Muslim)(3)

3. Friday & the time of answering prayers:


     The third cause of significance is “the time of answering prayers”. In fact, Muhammad PBUH informs that there is a time on every Jumu’ah when God answers the prayers of His slaves.He PBUH says,

There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he (or she) is performing Salat and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he (or she) is supplicating for.” And he (PBUH) pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short.      [Al- Bukhari and Muslim](4)

4. Friday in the past and the future:


The fourth cause of significance is the events – past and future – that take place on Friday:

● Adam was created.


● Eve & Adam were expelled (from Paradise).


● Their repentance was accepted.


● The father of all humanity (Adam) died.


● The Last Hour will take place on a Friday. Prophet Muhammad PBUH says,

The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created. On it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday.” [Imam Muslim](5)

In fact, all creations except for Human and Jinn await the Hour to take place each Friday between dawn and sunrise. Muhammad the Messenger of Allah says,

…On Friday every beast is on the lookout from dawn to sunrise in fear of the Last Hour, but not jinn and men…” [Al-Albani](6)

5. The end of legal rulings revelation:


     The fifth cause of significance of Friday (Jumu’ah) in Islam is one of the most important. Uniquely, it was the time where the revelation of the verse declaring the end of legal rulings revelation of Qur’an; the final Message from God to His creations. It is narrated that,

A man among the Jews said to ‘Umar bin Al- Khattab: ‘O Commander of the Believers! If we were the ones unto whom this Ayah was revealed, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion (5:3).“ – then we would have taken that day as a day of celebration.’; So, ‘Umar bin Al- Khattab said to him: ‘Indeed I do know which day this Ayah was revealed upon. It was revealed on the Day of ‘Arafah, on Friday.”    [Jami` at-Tirmidhi](7)

6. Friday (Jumu’ah) & its magnificent rewards:


     The final cause of significance of Friday (Jumu’ah) in Islam is the numerous pieces of evidence in the Sunnah of Muhammad PBUH showing the magnitude of rewards by Allah for obedience (acts) offered by Muslims on a Friday. For example;

● Attending Jumu’ah regularly is expiation for sins except major sins. He PBUH says,

The five daily (prescribed) Salat, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” (Muslim)(8)

● Frequent mention of Muhammad PBUH on Fridays is a cause for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Muhammad PBUH says,

Among the best of your days is Friday. On that day pray to Allah to exalt my mention frequently, for your such supplications are presented to me.” (Abu Dawud)(9)

     To conclude, the significance of Friday (Jumu’ah) is inescapable in Islam. In fact, it is by the Favor and Decree of Allah that Jumu’ah is honored. Moreover, so much has happened and will happen on this day of Allah. As mentioned, He created Adam, expelled him from Paradise, and accepted his repentance. In addition, Adam also died on Jumu’ah. Furthermore, the completion of Islamic legal revelation was on it declared with a verse revealed to Muhammad PBUH. In future, the blow of the Horn, the reckoning and Judgment will start on a Jumu’ah. To sum up, it is a day of worship and celebration as well as rewards and expiation of sins.

Why not try to experience the Jumu’ah prayer at your nearest Islamic center or Masjid? And tell us all about it.