Alhamdulilah. Indeed, all praise is due to Allaah. We praise Him and seek His help and forgiveness. We seek refuge in Allaah from our souls’ evil and our wrong doings. He whom Allaah guides, no one can misguide; and he whom He misguides, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no (true) God except Allah – alone without a partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad (peace be upon him) is His ‘Abd (servant) and messenger.

Allah, the Most High, says,

“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu’ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!”[1]

A. Virtues Of Friday

1. A Special Day Chosen By Allaah

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): I heard Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) saying, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection though the former nations were given the Holy Scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which 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) tomorrow (i.e. Saturday) and the Christians’ (is) the day after tomorrow (i.e. Sunday).”[2]

2. The Best Day Is Friday

Narrated Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:

“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.”[3]

3. It Is Greater Than The Days Of ‘Eid

It was narrated that Abu Lubaabah ibn ‘Abd al-Mundhir said:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Friday is the master of days, and the greatest of them before Allaah. It is greater before Allaah than the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr. It has five characteristics: on this day Allaah created Adam, on it He sent Adam down to the earth, on it Allaah caused Adam to die, on it there is a time when a person does not ask Allaah for anything but He gives it to him, so long as he does not ask for anything haraam, and on it the Hour will begin. There is no angel who is close to Allaah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain and no sea that does not fear Friday.”[4]

4. Whoever Dies On Friday Is Protected From The Trial Of The Grave

Narrated ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr (may Allah be pleased with him): The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said:

“There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allaah will protect him from the trial of the grave.”[5]

B. Some Things To Do On Friday

1. Pray Fajr In Congregation

It was narrated by Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him): The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:

“The best prayer before Allaah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.”[6]

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to recite the following in the Fajr prayer of Friday, “[32] Surah As-Sajdah (The Prostration) and [76] Surah Al-Insan (Man).”[7]

2. Praying Salaat Al-Jumu’ah:

Allah, the Most High, says,

“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu’ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu’ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!”[8]

3. Making A Lot Of Du’aa’.

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) talked about Friday and said,

“There is an hour (opportune time) on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.” And he (the Prophet) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands.”

[10]

Narrated Anas ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Seek the hour in which there is hope that prayers will be answered, on Friday after ‘Asr (mid-afternoon) prayer, until the sun goes down.”[11]

4. Reading Soorah al-Kahf:

4.1 Soorah al-Kahf (Chapter 18)

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid said,

“There are saheeh ahaadeeth from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) concerning the virtues of reciting Soorah al-Kahf during the day or night of Jumu’ah (Friday). … The soorah may be read during the night or the day of Jumu’ah. The night of Jumu’ah starts from sunset on Thursday, and the day of Jumu’ah ends at sunset. Therefore the time for reading this soorah extends from sunset on Thursday to sunset on Friday.”[12]

Narrated Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever recites Surah al-Kahf on Jumu’ah will have illumination from the light from one Jumu’ah to the next.”[13]

Narrated Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).”[14]

5. Sending a lot of blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Narrated Aws ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me.” The people asked: “Apostle of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed?” He replied: “Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets.”[23]

6. Making Ghusl and wearing perfume

Narrated Abu Said Al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him): Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said,

“The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male (Muslim) who has attained the age of puberty.”[24]

Narrated Salman-Al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“Whoever takes a bath[25] on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, then uses his (hair) oil or perfumes himself with the scent of his house, then proceeds (for the Jumu’ah prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque), then prays as much as (Allah has) written for him and then remains silent while the Imam is delivering the Khuthbah, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.”[26]

C. The Virtues Of Jumu’ah (Friday) Prayer

1. Sins Between Two Fridays Are Forgiven

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “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.”[27]

2. Coming Early To Jumu’ah Brings Great Reward.

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaabah and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khuthbah), the angels[28] present themselves to listen to the Khuthbah.”[29]

3. The Virtue Of Walking To The Friday Prayer

Narrated Aws ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.”[30]

Ibn al-Qayyim said, “Causes (his wife) to do ghusl” means has intercourse with his wife. This is how it was interpreted by Wakee’.”[31]

D. Some Important Points When At The Prayer

1. The Importance Of Listening Attentively To The Jumu’ah Khuthbah

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “If you (even) ask your companion to be quiet on Friday while the Imam is delivering the sermon, you have in fact talked irrelevance [ie. engaged in idle talk].”[32]

Narrated Abu’l-Darda’ (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat on the minbar and addressed the people, and he recited a verse. Ubayy ibn Ka’b was next to me, so I said to him:

“O Ubayy, when was this verse revealed?” But he refused to speak to me, so I asked him again and he refused to speak to me, until the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) came down (from the minbar). Then Ubayy said to me: “You have gained nothing from your Jumu’ah except idle talk.” When the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had finished (the prayer), I went to him and told him (what had happened). He said:”Ubayy was right. When you hear your imam speaking, then keep quiet and listen attentively until he has finished.”[33]

Sheikh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen said:

“It is Haraam to give salaams during the Friday Khuthbah, so it is not permissible for one who enters the mosque whilst the imam is delivering the Khuthbah to give salaams, and it is also Haraam to return the greeting.” [34]

Sheikh Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee said:

“If someone says “Be quiet!”, this is not regarded as idle talk (laghw) from a linguistic point of view, because it comes under the heading of enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil. However the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) called it Laghw that is not permissible. This comes under the heading of giving precedence to what is more important (namely being silent and listening to the preaching of the khateeb) over what is important (namely enjoining what is good during the Khuthbah). As this is the case, everything that comes under the heading of enjoining what is good comes under the same ruling as enjoining what is good – so how about if it of less importance than that? Undoubtedly in that case it is more appropriate that it not be allowed and it comes under the heading of laghw (idle talk).”[35]

2. Face The Imaam

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (may Allaah be pleased with him) said:

“The Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) sat on the minbar and we sat around him.”[36]

Sheikh Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee said:

“One of the reasons for their turning their faces towards the imaam is to facilitate their listening to his words, and to observe good manners when listening to him. If a person turn his face towards him with the proper physical posture and a focused mind, that will better enable them to understand his preaching and is in accordance with the reason why the khateeb is commanded to stand.”[37]

3. Sunnah Before and After Jumuah

3.1 Before

There are no prescribed Sunnah prayers before Jumu’ah and some people like to pray the Sunnah of Dhuhr at this time and this is incorrect and an innovation

Sheikh Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaanee said,

“Those who pray this Sunnah are not following the Messenger or imitating any of the imaams; on the contrary, they are imitating the later scholars who are like them in that they are also imitators [of earlier scholars] rather than mujtahideen [scholars who investigate and form their own rulings]. I am amazed to see an imitator imitating another imitator.”[38]

However, one should still pray two rakaats when they enter the Masjid (before sitting down). This applies even when you come and the Khuthbah has already begun.

Narrated Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him): A man entered the Mosque while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was delivering the Khutbah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to him,

“Have you prayed?” The man replied in the negative. The Prophet said, “Pray two Rakat.”[39]

In another narration, it is stated: Jabir ibn ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) delivered the sermon and said:

“When any one of you comes for the Friday (prayer) and the Imam comes out (from his apartment), (even then) should observe two rak’ahs (of prayer).”[40]

3.2. After

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him):

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When any one of you observes the Jumu’ah prayer (two obligatory rak’ahs in congregation), he should observe four (rak’ahs) afterwards.”[42]

4. Changing the place to Pray the Sunnah

‘Umar ibn ‘Ata’ ibn Abu Khuwar said that Nafii ibn Jubair sent him to al- Sa’ib the son of Namir’s sister with a view to asking him about what he had seen in the prayer of Mu’awiyah. He said:

“Yes, I observed the Jumu’a prayer along with him in Maqsura and when the Imam pronounced salutation I stood up at my place and observed (Sunan rak’ahs). As he entered (the apartment) he sent for me and said: Do not repeat what you have done. Whenever you have observed the Jumu’a prayer, do not observe (Sunan prayer) till you, have talked or got out For the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) had ordered us to do this and not to combine two (types of) prayers without talking of going out.”[44]

This hadith tells us that in case someone performs a certain prayer at a certain place; he should not perform another Salah at the same place and at the same time. There must be a distance in between the two prayers either by a way of change in the place or by way of Dhikr (mentioning Allah’s Names or the utterance of different prescribed supplications).[45]

E. Ruling On Not Going To Jumu’ah

Narrated Abdullah ibn ‘Umar and Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with them): They heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) say on the planks of his pulpit: “People must cease to neglect the Friday prayer or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the negligent.”[46]

Narrated Al-Ja’d ad-Damari (may Allaah be pleased with them): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“He who leaves the Friday prayer (continuously) for three Friday on account of slackness, Allah will print a stamp on his heart.”[47]

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) said,

“Friday prayer is one of the most important obligations in Islam, and one of the greatest gatherings of the Muslims. Gathering on Friday is more important and more obligatory than any other gathering apart from ‘Arafah. Whoever neglects it, Allaah will place a seal on his heart.”[48]

F. Jumu’ah Prayer Is Not Obligatory For Women, Slaves, The Sick And Travellers

Narrated Tariq ibn Shihab (may Allaah be pleased with them): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The Friday prayer in congregation is a necessary duty for every Muslim, with four exceptions; a slave, a woman, a boy, and a sick person.”[49]

Ibn al-Mundhir (may Allaah have mercy on him) said,

“They are unanimously agreed that Jumu’ah is not obligatory for women.”[50]

Sheikh Sayyid Saabiq said,

“For the traveller, even if he is staying at a certain place during the time of the beginning of salatul Jumu’ah, it is not obligatory. This is based on the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) travelled and did not perform the salatul Jumu’ah but only prayed the zuhr and ‘asr together during the time of the zuhr prayers. The caliphs after him and others also acted in a similar manner.”[51]

Any woman (and man) who wishes to come to the mosque must be in the correct Islamic dress.
And It is Only Allah Who grants success. May Allah Exalt the mention of His slave and Messenger Muhammad, and render him, his household and companion safe from Evil.

======================================================

References
· www.islam-qa.com
· ‘Prayer According to the Sunnah’, by Prof. Muhammad Zulfiqar, Darussalam publishers
· Saheeh Bukhaari, Saheeh Muslim and Sunan Aboo Daawood translations taken from from http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/
· Fiqh Us Sunnah, by Sayyid Sabbiq, http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/law/fiqhussunnah
· ‘Fiqh of Fasting’, Module 6, Dr. Bilal Philips, www.Islamiconlineuniversity.com/moodle
· www.thenoblequran.com

[1] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah Al-Jumu’ah 62:9

[2] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 1; Also Refer to Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1862

[3] Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1857

[4] Sunan Ibn Maajah, Number 1084; Classed as Hasan by Sheikh al-Albaanee, Saheeh al-Jaami’, Number 2279; as quoted in

[5] Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 1074; Classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz, p. 49, 50; as quoted http://www.islam-qa.com/special/index.php?ref=9211&ln=eng&subsite=14

[6] al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan; classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1119; as quoted in http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=9211&ln=eng

[7] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 16

[8] The Noble Qur’aan, Soorah Al-Jumu’ah 62:9

[9] Saheeh Muslim, Book 002, Number 0448

[10] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 57; Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1849

[11] Sunan at-Tirmidhi; Classed as Hasan Le-Ghairehe by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, Number 700; as quoted in http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=12309&ln=eng

[12] ‘When is the time for reciting Soorat al-Kahf on Friday? ‘http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=10700&ln=eng

[13] al-Haakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249. Classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami’, Number 6470; Ibid.,

[14] al-Daarimi, Number 3407; Classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Jaami’, Number 6471; Ibid.,

[23] Sunan Aboo Daawood, Book 3, Number 1042; Classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, Number 695: as quoted in http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=12309&ln=eng

[24] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 4

[25] The Islamic Bath (Ghusl) is as follows: i. Wash hands, ii. Wash genitals with left hand, iii. Wash hands (with soap), iv. Make wudoo’, v. Wash head (right side first, vi. Wash whole body, vii, Wash feet. For more information please refer to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Islam_True/message/198

[26] Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 8

[27] Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1867

[28] Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumu’ah prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khuthbah.”[(Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 51; Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1864]

[29] (Agreed Upon); Saheeh Bukhaari, Volume 2, Book 13, Number 6; Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1845

[30] Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 496; Classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 410; as quoted in http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=13692&ln=eng

[31] Zaad al-Ma’aad, 1/285; Ibid.,

[32] Saheeh Muslim, Book 004, Number 1846

[33] Musnad Ahmad, Number 20780; Sunan Ibn Maajah, Number 1111; Classed as Saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaanee in Tamaam al-Mannah, p. 338; as quoted in http://www.islamqa.com/index.php?ref=45651&ln=eng