Friday literally means ‘congregation’. In Islam, Friday is regarded as the best day compared to the rest of the days of the week. Every Friday, Jumua prayer is offered where the imams of all mosques around the world deliver khudba on a special topic such as; rights and responsibilities of husbands and wives, patience and tolerance etc.
The prophet (pbuh) has declared this day as EID day on a weekly basis for Muslims. He used to celebrate it by wearing clean clothes, fragrance, taking a bath etc.
Allah has provided the day of Friday for us as a source of blessing because it comes back every week after completing its circle. We are opportune to enjoy his blessings on a weekly basis. It a package of Allah’s bounties for us to enjoy on a weekly basis. Minor acts of worship are rewarded with mighty rewards on this special day. This day has been singled out from the other days of the week which signifies its special importance. Its virtues are mentioned in the Quran and Sunnah. A whole Surah in the Quran was names Suratul Jumua hence its importance.
Virtues of the day of Jumua
1. Friday prayer;
“O you who believe (Muslims) When the call is proclaimed for the Salah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” [Al-Jumu’ah 62:9]
Muslim (233) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) 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.”
2. Fajr prayer on the day of Jumua
The Messenger (RA) said: “The best prayer before Allah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.” [Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu’ab al-Eemaan]
‘It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite in Fajr prayer in Fridays Soorat al-Sajdah (32) in the first rak’ah and Soorat al-Insaan (76) in the second.’ [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 851; Muslim, 880]
3. Dying on Friday
The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allah will protect him from the trial of the grave.” [Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1074]
4. Creation of Adam
Rasulullah (pbuh) said: “Friday is the best of days. It was on this day that Adam (AS) was created, it was on this day that he was granted entry into jannah, it was on this day that he was removed from jannah (which became the cause for man’s existence in this universe, and which is a great blessing), and the day of resurrection will also take place on this day.” (Sahih Muslim)
5. ‘It is related from Imam Ahmad that he said that in certain aspects the rank of the night of jumu’ah is even higher than Laylatul Qadr One of the reasons for this is that it was on this night that Rasulullah (pbuh) appeared in the womb of his mother Rasulullah’s (pbuh) appearance in this world was a cause of so much good and blessings both in this world and in the hereafter that they cannot be enumerated.’ (Ash’atulLama’aat)
6. ‘Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) said: Of all the days, Friday is the most virtuous. It is on this day that the trumpet will be blown. Send abundant durood upon me on Fridays because they are presented to me on that day. The Sahabah radiallahu anhum asked: O Rasulullah! How will they be presented to you when even your bones will not be present after your death? Rasulullah (Allah bless him & give him peace) replied: Allah Ta’ala has made the earth haram upon the prophets forever.’ (Abu Dawud)
7. On Friday there is a blessed hour in which a person’s dua is granted anything lawful. ‘Abdullah ibn Umar had related from the Prophet Muhammad (s) concerning the time on Friday when prayers are answered.’ He said, “He heard the Messenger of Allah saying that it is the time in between when the Imam sits to let the mu'athin make the call for prayers so that he can deliver the khutbah, until the Imam finishes the prayers.”
8. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Allah led those who came before us away from Friday. The Jews had Saturday, and the Christians had Sunday. Then Allah brought us and Allah guided us to Friday. So there is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and thus they will follow us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of the people of this world but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we will be dealt with before all others.” [Narrated by Muslim, 856]
9. It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (RA) said: The Prophet (pbuh) said: “The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise and on it he was expelled therefrom.” [Narrated by Muslim, 1410].
10. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Friday is the master of days, and the greatest of them before Allah. It is greater before Allah than the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr. It has five characteristics: on this day Allah created Adam, on it He sent Adam down to the earth, on it Allah caused Adam to die, on it there is a time when a person does not ask Allah for anything but He gives it to him, so long as he does not ask for anything haram (forbidden), and on it the Hour will begin. There is no angel who is close to Allah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain and no sea that does not fear Friday.” [Narrated by Ibn Majah, 1084]
11. The Prophet (PBUH) said "Friday is the "mother" of all days and the most virtuous in the sight of Allah Ta'ala. In the sight of Allah Ta'ala it has more greatness than Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Ad'haa." (Ibn Majah)
12. The Prophet (PBUH) said "The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled therefrom.''[Muslim].
Sunnah Acts on Friday
1. Muslims should start preparing for Jumuah by cutting their nails, removing pubic hair etc. ‘Jummah preparations should begin on Thursday such as clipping the nails, removing of the hair etc.’ (Ihya aul-Uloom, vol. 1, page 161).
2. It is highly recommended that Muslims take ghusl bath every Fridays. On one Friday, Rasulallah said: “O Muslims! Allah Ta’ala has made this day a day of Eid. So have a bath on this day, whoever has perfume should apply it, and use the Miswaak.’’ (Ibn Majah).
3. It is highly recommended we go to mosques on time because of the blessings. Rasulallah (Pbuh) said: ‘On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that Masjid in which Jummah salat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the Masjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah. Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah.’ (Bukhari and Muslim)
4. It was narrated from Abu Huraira that the Prophet (Pbuh) said: ‘Whoever does Ghusl then comes to Jummah, and prays as much as Allah decrees for him, then listens attentively until the khutbah is over, then prays with him (the imam), will be forgiven for (his sins) between that and the next Jummah and three more days.’ (Muslim, 857)
5. It is very important to recite surah kahf every Fridays to help protect us from the trial of Ad-Dajjal. The prophet (pbuh) said “Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, light shall shine forth for him between the two Fridays.” (Ibn Hajar, Talkhis al- Habir)
6. Abu Hurraira (Ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) said: “Whoever does Ghusl on Friday like Ghusl for janabah, then goes to the prayer (in the first hour, i.e., early), it is as if he sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow; whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a horned ram; whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour it is as if he offered an egg. When the imam comes out, the angels come to listen to the khutbah.” (Bukhari, 814 and Muslim, 850)
It is encouraged that we invoke Salam’s to the prophet (pbuh) on Fridays because there is a narration that states that Allah returns his soul so as to respond to the salaams he receives from us. He would be able to hear the salaams hence the response so it is encouraged we invoke on him. It is very important that every Muslim takes advantage of this wonderful weekly opportunity of blessings given to us by Allah Azzawajal.
We should sit and listen to the khudba attentively even if we do not understand the language. We have to keep quiet and concentrate when in progress.
Bibliography
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