The Importance of Friday (Jumma) prayers in Islam
Safiul Azam ACMA
Friday (the best day of week) is the special day for the Muslims Ummah. The literal meaning of Friday is congregation. Many of us say that all days are equal as all are being created by Allah (SWT). True, but still, Friday is special, it has its own merits. Refer to following hadith:
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said, “The best day on which the sun rises is Friday; on it Adam (AS) was created; and on it, he descended on earth; and on it, his repentance was accepted; and on it, he died; and on it, the Hour will be established…..” (Hadith No. 1046, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol.1).
Friday is not a new thing for the Ummah of Muhammad (PBUH); rather this day was declared special by Allah for the nations who existed before. Following hadith explains this very clearly:
Narrated Abu Hurairah (RA): I heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) saying: “We are the last but the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, though the former nations were given the Scripture before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which (i.e. Friday prayer etc.) was made compulsory for them, but they differed about it. So, Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) the following day (i.e. Saturday) and the Christians’ (is) the day after the following day (i.e. Sunday).” (Hadith No. 876, Book of Al-Juma’a, Sahih Bukhari, Vol.2).
The importance of Friday can be understood by the fact that there is a whole chapter dedicated to Friday (Surah Al-Juma’a, Chapter No. 62) in Holy Qur’an. There is a direct instruction for all believers about Friday prayers. ““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.” [Al-Quran 62:9]
It is also reported (ref. Hadith No. 1050, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1) that whoever performs Wudu well, then attends Friday prayer, and listens quietly the sermon (khutba), then he will be forgiven (the sins that occurred) between the two Fridays. The narrator for this hadith is Abu Hurairah (RA).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) described the virtues of JumSmah prayer in the following hadith with these words;
”When the Friday comes, at every door of the Masjid there stands Angels who write down (the names of) those who come First, then who comes next. When the Imam sits down, the records are closed and they come to listen to the reminder , i.e. the Khutba….” Muslim 1984.
From authentic hadith, it is taken that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)advised Muslims to recite surah al-Kahf on every Friday to keep safe from the fitnah of dajjal.
How are Friday prayers offered?
No. of raka’at: Apart from some nawafil prayers two raka’at are offered in compulsory Friday prayers. It was narrated that Ibn Umar (RA) said: I prayed two raka’at with Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) before Zuhr and two afterwards, two raka’at after Maghrib, two raka’at after Isha’ and two raka’at after Juma’ (Friday prayer). As for Maghrib, Isha’ & Juma’, I prayed with the Prophet (PBUH) in his house. (Hadith No. 1698 (729), Book of the Traveller’s prayers, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2).
Religious sermon (i.e. the Khutba)
An essential part of Friday prayers is the religious sermon (the Khutba) and it is compensates two raka’at salat. It is disliked for a person to engage in any talk while Khutba is in progress. Even if someone tells other person to be quiet, it is considered as a breach. Refer to following hadith:
Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “If you say ‘Be Quiet’ while Imam is delivering Khutba, you have committed Al-Laghw.” (Hadith No. 1112, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1).
The significance of Khutba and listening to it quietly is even more highlighted by the fact that it is not allowed to offer any prayer. However, there is an exception to this. Refer to following hadith:
It was narrated that Jabir bin Abdallah (RA) said: Sulaik Al Ghatfani came on a Friday when Prophet (PBUH) was preaching (i.e delivering Khutba) and he sat down. He said to him, “O Sulaik, get up and pray 2 raka’at and make them brief.” Then he said, “If one of you comes on a Friday and the Imam is preaching, let him pray 2 raka’at (Tahayyat-al-Masjid) and make them brief.”
(Hadith No. 2024 (875), Book of Friday Prayer, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2).
Therefore, Tahayyat-al-Masjid is the only prayer which allowed to be offered even if Friday Khutba is in progress.
Time of Friday prayers
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA): The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer Juma’a prayer immediately after mid-day (i.e. just after the sun starts descending after reaching the zenith). (Hadith No. 904, Book of Al-Juma’a, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
Narrated Anas bin Malik (RA): The Prophet (PBUH) used to offer the prayer earlier if it was very cold, and if it was very hot he used to delay the prayer.” (Hadith No. 906, Book of Al-Juma’a, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
Upon who is Friday prayer obligatory and how shall one prepare for Friday prayers?
Friday prayer is compulsory for all except a few. A very clear hadith on this matter is given below:
It was reported from Tariq bin Shihab from the Prophet (PBUH), that he said: “The Friday prayer in congregation is an obligation on every single Muslim, except for four: an owned slave, a woman, a child and a sick person.” (Hadith No. 1067, Book of Salat, Sunan Abu Dawud, Vol. 1).
Take bath, wear best possible clothes, use perfume etc., are some of the recommended acts of preparation of oneself for offering Friday prayers. Refer to the hadith below:
Narrated Abu Sa’id (RA): I testify that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “The taking of bath on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim who has attained the age of puberty; and also cleaning of teeth with Siwak and using perfume, if available.” (Hadith No. 880, Book of Al-Juma’a, Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2).
An important thing to understand from above mentioned hadith is that although it is not obligatory for a woman to offer Friday prayer in congregation, yet it is obligatory for her to take a bath on Friday and prepare herself for her prayers which she may offer at her home place. Same applies to children as well.
Sin of missing Friday prayers
It was narrated from Abdullah bin Umar (RA) and Abu Hurairah (RA) that they heard Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) say, on the planks of his Minbar, “People must cease neglecting Juma’a(prayers), or else Allah will put a seal over their hearts and they will truly be among the negligent.” (Hadith No. 2002 (865), Book of Friday Prayer, Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2).
Let us realize the importance of Friday and that it is an obligation of every Muslim to observe the sanctity of Friday & offer the prayers regularly. Moreover, we should try to perfect our Friday prayers according to Sunnah ways.
And Allah knows the best. May Allah forgive me if I am wrong and guide us to the right path…Ameen.
*Safiul Azam,ACMA is an associate member of ICMAB, Senior Editorial Consultant – NsNews Wire, President and Chief Rayman – The World Raymen, Vice President – CMA BD Tiger Toastmaster Club, Fellow of Bangladesh – China Media Consortium and involve in private service.