Friday is a special day in Islam; a whole Surah of the Qur’an is named after it and various hadiths explain its merits, rituals, etiquette, do’s and don’ts.
Why does Friday have this special status?
What is the etiquette of going to Friday Prayer?
What is the punishment of those who neglect Jumu`ah?
And what rewards this special day bring to Muslims?
Find answers for these questions and more in the following hadith collection:
Best Day in the Week
1. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created and on it he was made to enter Paradise.
On Friday, also, Adam was expelled from Paradise.
And the [last] hour (i.e. the Day of Resurrection) will take place on no day other than Friday.” (Muslim)
2. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The five [daily prescribed] Prayers, and Friday [prayer] to the [next] Friday [prayer], and Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” (Muslim)
What to Do on Friday
Prayer Is Better Than Sleep
3. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said while talking about Friday,
“There is a time on it (i.e. Friday) at which Allah grants the request of any Muslim servant who, at this time, happens to be asking Allah for something while standing in Prayer” And the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
4. Abu Sa`id A-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever reads surat Al-Kahf on the night of Friday, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (i.e., the Ka`bah).” (Authenticated by Al-Albani)
5. Aws ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Among the best of your days is Friday. So, pray to Allah frequently on it to bless me, for such supplications of you will be presented to me.” (Abu Dawud)
Jumu`ah Prayer Etiquette
6. Salman (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“If a man takes bath on Friday, cleans himself as much as he can, oils his hair, applies perfume available in his house, sets forth for the mosque, does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself), performs as many Prayers as written [by Allah] for him, remains silent when the Imam speaks, his sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari)
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7. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“When Friday comes, the angels sit at the doors of the mosque and record who comes to the Jumu`ah prayer. Then, when the imam comes out, the angels roll up their scrolls.”
8. The Messenger of Allah said:
“The one who comes early to the Jumu`ah prayer is like one who sacrifices a camel, then [i.e. coming later than that is] like one who sacrifices a cow, then like one who sacrifices a sheep, then like one who sacrifices a duck, then like one who sacrifices a chicken, then like one who sacrifices an egg.” (An-Nasa’i and authenticated by Al-Albani)Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:
9. Sulaik Al-Ghatafani came on Friday when the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was delivering the sermon. He (Sulaik) sat down. So, the Prophet said to him:
“O Sulaik! Stand and observe two rak`ahs and make them short.“
Then he said:
“When any one of you comes on Friday, while the Imam delivers the sermon, he should observe two rak`ahs and should make them short.” (Muslim)
Friday Don’ts
10. Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with them) reported:
We heard the Messenger of Allah saying (while delivering Khutbah on his wooden pulpit),
“Either some people stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.” (Muslim)
11. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“If you say to your companion: Listen attentively on a Friday when the Imam is delivering the khutbah, then you have engaged in idle talk.” (Muslim)
12. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Do not choose the Friday night among all other nights for Qiyam (night vigil prayer,) and do not choose Friday among all other days for fasting except that one of you have accustomed to.” (Muslim)
7 Things to Know About Friday, the Holiest Day For Muslims
Friday (Jumuʿah in Arabic) is the holy day for Muslims. Jumuʿah comes from the same root word as gather and congregation. On Fridays, Muslims attend a special prayer in the afternoon, the Jumuʿah prayer. The Friday prayer is a command of God:
O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (The Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew! (Quran 62:9)
Although Friday is part of the weekend in most Muslim majority countries, it is not like Sabbath in which Muslims cannot work or go to school. The next verse highlights this fact:
And when the prayer is ended, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s bounty, and remember Allah much, so that you may be successful. (Quran 62:10)
What is the Significance of Friday?
Friday is the holiest day of the week. There are narrations in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise and on it he was expelled therefrom. (Muslim)
In another instance, the Prophet (peace be upon him) noted that the Day of Judgment will occur on Friday. He also said:
The five daily prayers and from one Jumu’ah to the next is an expiation for whatever sins come in between them, so long as one does not commit a major sin. (Muslim)
Muslims are encouraged to take a shower on Friday mornings and wear their best clothes.
How is the prayer performed?
The Friday prayer consists of a sermon followed by two short prayer cycles. The prayer begins with a call to prayer, followed by the sermon, and ends with the prayer.
Sermons in America are usually given in English, but almost always contain some Arabic in them when a verse of Quran is recited, or a prayer is said.
During the sermon, everyone is required to listen to the imam, hence there is no talking that takes place. The imam usually stands on a pulpit and the congregation sit on the floor and listen. The topics of the sermons usually revolved around spiritual reminders, current events, social issues, and family.
What time is the prayer?
The Friday prayer always takes place in the afternoon. It replaces the afternoon prayer. Many mosques in the West have fixed times in which the prayer is offered. The prayer in most mosques will usually fall in between 12-3pm.
How long is the prayer?
Although each mosque is different, the sermons of the Friday prayer usually last between 30-45 minutes. This is followed by a short prayer that will last for another 5-10 minutes.
Do Muslim students and employees need special accommodations on Fridays?
Because the Friday prayer takes place during the afternoon, it sometimes conflicts with a work or school schedule. Although some might use their lunch hour to attend the prayer, some might need special accommodations from the school or employer so that they can attend the prayer. Some workplaces or universities that have a significant Muslim population allow their employees to organize their own prayer services on site.
Are all Muslims required to attend the prayer?
The Friday prayer is mandatory for all Muslim males who are of age. Although many women and children attend the prayers as well, it is not mandatory.
Can non-Muslims attend the prayer?
The Friday prayer is a Muslim act of worship and the sermon topics are usually directed at a Muslim audience. However, non-Muslims are welcome to attend it.
If you are interested in attending a prayer, we can help you schedule a visit to a mosque near you.
5 Most Important Things to Do on Friday
More often than not, we get so caught up in the humdrum of everyday activities and deadlines, and perhaps, we get a little too lost in the excitement of the upcoming weekend that we tend to overlook the blessedness of Friday itself!
Friday, or Jumuah, is Allah’s favorite day of the week, concentrated with endless virtue and blessings. According to the Islamic Calendar, the day of Jumuah starts right after Maghrib on Thursday and concludes with the Maghrib prayer on Friday, hence Muslims are advised to commence their worship the night prior to Friday.
The significance of Jumuah becomes highly apparent in the following words by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It’s the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the Day of Judgment takes place. (Sahih Muslim)
So how can you make the most of this blessed day? Here are a few tips to make your Jumuah meaningful:
1- Wash up Properly
As Friday is no ordinary day, one must take extra care when it comes to cleanliness and preparation for it. On this day, every Muslim should take a bath, trim his/her nails, brush his/her teeth, wear clean and freshly pressed clothes, along with a dash of nice perfume (non-alcoholic). All this is ideally to be practiced before the Jumuah prayer in terms of the significance.
The Prophet (PBUH) is reported to have said:
Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath. (Sahih Bukhari 2133)
2- Listen to the Sermon and Offer Friday Prayers in Congregation
It is urged that all male individuals should finish up the worldly affairs a bit early on Friday and take some time off so that they can reach the Masjid well before time.
The Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) is the Sunnah and essential for all to hear. It’s importance is illustrated in the following hadith by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
On every Friday the angels take their stand at every gate of the mosque to write the names of the people chronologically (i.e. according to the time of their arrival for the Friday prayer) and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon. (Al-Bukhari)
Moreover, every Muslim male is obligated to offer the Friday prayers in congregation. In the Quran, Allah (SWT) says:
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. (Surah Jumah:9)
3- Make Abundant Du’as
According to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):
On Friday, there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
So make dua as much as you can on this day and avail this wonderful chance to get your Duas answered by the Almighty.
4- Recite Surah Al-Kahf
This chapter helps one expatiate from sins, gain blessings of Allah Almighty and prepare one’s self for the end of days. Hence, every Muslim individual must try getting into the habit of reciting chapter Al-Kahf regularly. Consciously take out time during the day to recite chapter Al-Kahf because according to Prophet’s (PBUH) tradition:
Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays. (Sunan Al-Kubra 5856)
The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is also reported to have said:
If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah Al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal. (Sahih Muslim)
5- Send Blessings upon the Prophet (PBUH)
Along with constant remembrance of Allah (SWT), increased blessings should also be sent upon our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Friday, for it is stated in the Hadith:
The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown; and on that day all of creation will swoon. So send a great deal of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me. (Abu Dawud)
Follow these tips and make that extra effort on every Jumuah. Look forward to Jumuah, be prepared for it in advance and go that extra mile to drape the cape of Allah’s blessings and rewards.
Why is Friday So Special For Muslims?
Friday is a very important day for Muslims. It is more significant and more beneficial than any other day of the week.
It is the day that Muslims gather together to pray in congregation. Directly before the prayer they listen to a lecture designed to empower them with valuable knowledge about God, and the religion of Islam.
It is a blessed day that has been designated as such by God, Almighty; no other day of the week shares its virtues.
A believer’s entire life is one of worship; even celebrations are conducted as worship. While there is no special place or special time to worship God, there are moments, days, or times that God has made more superior; Friday is one of those times.
From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) we learn that:
The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day of congregation. (Al-Bayhaqi)
Congregational prayers (obligatory for men) are one of the most strongly emphasized duties in Islam. It is a time when Muslims come together to worship One God, and find strength and comfort by standing shoulder to shoulder and reaffirming their faith and devotion to Him.
In many predominantly Muslim countries Friday is a weekly holiday. However there is no mandatory closing of businesses except during the time of the congregational prayer. In western countries many Muslims try to take their lunch break during the time for prayer, usually in the very early afternoon.
Prophet Muhammad told his followers that:
The five daily prayers, and from one Friday prayer till the next, serves as an expiation for whatever sins have been committed between them, provided one does not commit any major sin. (Muslim)
It is important that a Muslim not neglect Friday Prayer due to work, study, or other worldly matters. Believers should make attending this prayer a priority since ignoring it three times in a row, with no valid reason, will cause a believer to stray from the straight path.
While it is only men who are obliged to attend the Friday congregational prayer, there are also many acts that men, women or children can perform during this day. These acts include, taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, saying numerous supplications to God, sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, and reading Chapter 18 of the Quran.
Prophet Muhammad said:
There is no day more virtuous than Friday. In it there is an hour in which no one will pray to God except that God will hear his prayer. (At-Tirmidhi)
Friday consists of twelve hours, one of which is the hour where God grants supplications for believers. This hour is sought during the last hour after Asr (the third prayer in the day). (Abu Dawoud, Al-Nisa’i)
Whoever recites ‘The Cave’ (Chapter 18 of the Qur’an) on Friday, God will give him a light to the next Friday. (Al-Bayhaqi)
The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. It is the day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered the Heavenly Gardens, the day when he was expelled from it and also the day he died. Friday is the day on which the Day of Resurrection will take place. (Muslim)
Friday is also the day on which one of the greatest verses in the Quran was revealed:
This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion. (Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)
A story from the life of the second Caliph Omar, illustrates the significance of Friday. A scholar from among the Jews said to Omar ibn Al-Khattab
“In the Quran you people read a certain verse; if that verse had been revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day annually.”
Omar asked:
“Which verse is that?”
The man replied:
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you”.
Friday is a special day; performing the congregational prayer on this day holds special significance in the life of a Muslim. Thirteenth century Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah said:
“The most excellent day of the week is Friday according to the consensus of scholars”, and his student Ibn-ul-Qayyim mentions 32 special characteristics of Friday in his book Zad Al-Ma’ad.
Prophet Muhammad said:
Verily, this is the Eid day (day of celebration) that God has prescribed for the Muslims. (Ibn Majah)
Believers would be wise to take advantage of the blessings God sends down to His slaves on Friday. This is a day of congregation, a day of celebration and a day of contemplation and supplication.
These 10 Hadiths Will Revive Your Relation with Qur’an
Amidst our fast-paced life, we tend to forget a very important question: How well is our relationship with the Qur’an?
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How much time and effort do we spend in reciting, studying and understanding this Guide, granted to us by Allah to lead a successful and happy life?
I think it will be embarrassing for many of us to try to compare the amount of time spent browsing the internet or following Facebook/Twitter accounts with the time dedicated to the Book of Allah.
The following Hadiths draw our attention to a treasure many of us indifferently overlook.
Read this collection with attention and care; it will encourage you to revisit and revive our relationship with the Qur’an.
An Elevated Rank
1. `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“One who is proficient in reciting the Qur’an is associated with the noble, pious (angel) scribes. As for he who stammers when reciting the Qur’an and find it difficult for him, he will be granted a double reward” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
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2. `Abdullah ibn `Amr ibn Al-`Aas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“The one who was devoted to the Qur’an will be told [on the Day of Resurrection:] ‘Recite [the Qur’an] and ascend [in ranks] as you used to recite when you were in the world. Your rank will be at the last verse you recite.“‘ (Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)
3. `Uthman ibn `Affan (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best among you [Muslims] are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.” (Al-Bukhari)
A Treasure of Good Deeds
4. `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whoever recites a letter of the Book of Allah will be credited with a good deed and a good deed is multiplied into ten.
I do not say that [the word:] “Alif Lam Meem” is [counted as] one letter. Rather, Alif is one letter, Lam is one letter and Meem is one letter” (At-Tirmidhi)
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5. Abu Umamah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Recite the Qur’an, for it will come as an intercessor for its reciters on the Day of Resurrection.” (Muslim)
6. An-Nawwas ibn Sm`an (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“On the Day of Resurrection, the Qur’an will be brought with its people who acted according to it in this world. The Surahs of Al-Baqarah and Aal-`Imran will be at the front arguing on behalf of their [devoted] reciter.” (Muslim)
Overwhelming blessings
7. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Whenever a group of people assemble in one of the Houses of Allah (i.e. Mosques), reciting the Book of Allah and studying it, tranquility descends upon them, Mercy covers them, angels surround them and Allah makes a mention of them among those who are with Him.” (Muslim)
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8. `Abdullah ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“A person who has nothing of the Qur’an in his heart is like a ruined house.” (At-Tirmidhi)
9. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Keep refreshing your knowledge of the Qur’an for [I swear] by the One in whose hand the soul of Muhammad is, it is more liable to escapes [from memory] than camels do from their hobbles.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
10. `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Envy is not justified but in case of two persons only: – One who has been given [knowledge of] the Qur’an by Allah and thus he recites it during the night and day, – and a man who has been given wealth by Allah, so he spends it during the night and the day (in ways that please Allah).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
10 Hadiths on Remembrance of Allah
Which status would be higher than having your humble person appreciated and mentioned by Allah Almighty to a gathering of high-esteemed Angels?
That is only one of the many valuable advantages you gain trough frequent remembrance of Allah (dhikr Allah). The special position of this easy act of worship is frequently emphasized by the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) who “used to remember Allah all the time” (Abu Dawud)
Reviewing the reward promised for Allah’s remembrance should fill us with pity for all the hours we waste without seizing these amazingly easy opportunities.
The following collection reveals the significance of this beautiful type of worship and the great reward you can reap through it.
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Best Deed
1. Abu Ad-Darda’ (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said:
“Shall I not inform you of the best of your actions, the purest in the sight of your Lord, which raises your rank to the highest, which is better for you than spending gold and silver, better than meeting your enemy so that you strike at their necks and they strike at yours?’ They replied: ‘Yes, indeed,’ and he said: ‘It is the remembrance of Allah.” (At-Tirmidhi)
2. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said:
“Allah says, “I treat My servant as he hopes that I would treat him. I am with him whenever he remembers Me:
if he thinks of Me, I think of him; if he mentions Me in company, I mention him in an even better company. If he draws near to Me a hand’s span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw closer by a distance of two outstretched arms nearer to him; and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him running.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
3. Abu Musa Al-Ash`ari (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet said:
“The similitude of someone who remembers his Lord and someone who does not is like that of the living and the dead.” (Al-Bukhari)
The Prophet’s Advice
4. Abdullah ibn Busr (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that one of the Prophet’s Companions said, “O Messenger of Allah. I am overwhelmed by the so many injunctions of Islam. So tell me something to which I may hold fast.”
The Prophet replied, “Keep your tongue wet with the remembrance of Allah.” (At Tirmidhi)
Abundant Forgiveness
5. Abu Hurairah also reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who says, ‘Subhan-Allahi wa bihamdih‘ (Glory and praise be to Allah) one hundred times a day, his sins will be obliterated even if they are equal to the extent of the foam of the sea. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
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6. Zaid ibn Harithah narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Whosoever says:
‘Astaghfirullaha al-`Azeem al-ladhi la ilaha illa howa Al-Hayy al-Qayyum wa atubu illayh
(I ask forgiveness of Allah, the Magnificent, than Whom there is no deity, the Living, the Sustainer of existence, and I turn to Him in repentance,)
his sins will be forgiven even if he should have run away from the battlefield (while he was engaged in fighting for the Cause of Allah, which is a grave sin in Islam). (Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani)
Huge Reward
7. Anas ibn Malik narrated that the Prophet said:
“Whoever prays Fajr Prayer in congregation, and then sits and remembers Allah until the sun rises, then (after a while) prays two rak`has, he will gain a reward equal to that of making perfect Hajj and `Umrah. [The Prophet repeated the word “perfect” thrice.] (At-Tirmidhi)
8. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet said:
He who repeats after every prayer:
Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) thirty-three times,
Al-hamdu lillah (praise be to Allah) thirty-three times,
Allahu Akbar (Allah is Greatest) thirty-three times;
and completes the hundred with:
La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahul-mulku wa lahul-hamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli shai’in qadir
(There is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent)
Will have all his sins pardoned even if they may be as large as the foam on the surface of the sea.” (Muslim)
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Easy Opportunity
9. Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
He who utters ten times:
La ilaha illallahu, wahdahu la sharika lahu, lahulmulku wa lahulhamdu, wa Huwa `ala kulli sha’in qadir
(There is no true god except Allah. He is One and He has no partner. His is the sovereignty and His is the praise, and He is Omnipotent),
he will have a reward equal to that for freeing four slaves from the progeny of Prophet Isma`il. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
Words That Allah Loves
10. Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said:
“There are two statements that are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and beloved to the Most Merciful:
Subahana Allahi wa bihamdih
Subhana Allahi Al-`Azeem
(Glory and praise be to Allah,
Glorified is Allah, the Most Great.)” (Al-Bukhari)
