The Spiritual Significance of Friday: Jumu’ah and Its Blessings
It is the mercy of Allah SWT upon the Ummah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that He has ensured that His Message and Commandments have passed down to us through trustworthy traditional channels, in unadulterated form, the way He has asked us to practice His religion. Among the numerous commandments and rulings given about prayers, it is common knowledge in most Muslim households that The Day of Friday and its prayer hold an especially sacred position in our Deen. The problem, however, is that for many, the actions of Friday are by rote, mere series of exercises we are commanded to perform rather than performing them with sincerity and understanding of the spiritual significance behind the day and the recommended actions.
Friday is known as Yawm al-Jumu‘ah in the Arabic language, literally translated as the ‘day of gathering or assembly’. It is a day of congregational prayers, community gathering, and spiritual reflection. The gathering is for the Jumuah prayer, as indicated by the name, where Muslims from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life come together to worship collectively, marking the Muslim community as a unifying force. The congregational prayer fosters a sense of unity, reminding Muslims of their shared faith and values.
The Jumu’ah is a significant day in the Islamic calendar for the Muslims, revered on account of the profound blessings, remarkable virtues and spiritual importance that are associated with it. As believers constantly striving towards a better spiritual connection with our Lord, it would help us immensely to gain an understanding of the incredible virtues and blessings of the prayer and the recommended actions of this day which promise mercy, reward and Divine Favour.
Why Friday?
A question that might understandably arise in some minds is why Friday in particular? This can be better explained with reference to how Allah SWT has singled out different times and places for the acceptance of duas with the wisdom behind them only known to Him. Allah SWT has chosen these times and places on account of some inherent qualities present in them that gives them precedence over others, for example the Holy month of Ramadan. Similarly, the selection of Friday for a specific prayer and special virtues is the manifestation of Allah’s SWT Rabubiyyah (Lordship), as He Alone has the power to single out for veneration whatever He Wills from His creation and whatever times and places He chooses.
A famous traditional Islamic scholar, Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) reasons this out when he states that this singling out and choice are indicative of the inherent virtue of the thing chosen, for which Allah blessed this time. By His knowledge and wisdom, Allah may grant to a certain place, time or person that which qualifies it to be chosen by Allah and favored above others. To phrase it simply, while worship and prayer are important and carry virtues where and whenever they are performed, there is no denying that Allah SWT has given certain times and places some ‘advanced virtues’ which is another sign of His Infinite Mercy and His readiness towards giving the Creation reasons to turn to Him.
Importance of Friday in Islam
The status and importance of Jumu’ah is deeply rooted in Islamic tradition with both the Quran and the Hadith clearly highlighting its significance from the historical, spiritual and communal perspective.
Creation of Prophet Adam Alaihis Salam
While there are many narrations of this hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ , the core information is similar, citing Friday as the day on which the first of mankind and prophets, Prophet Adam AS, was created, made to enter Paradise (Jannah) and made to exit from it. Indeed, it is also the day on which the Day of Judgement will come (referred to as the Hour).
‘The best day that the sun has risen upon is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he entered Paradise, and on it, he was expelled from it. And the Hour will not be established except on Friday.’ (-Tirmidhi 488, Book 4, Hadith 1)
Allah SWT Has Named a Surah After Friday
Friday and Saturday are the two days out of the week that Allah SWT has mentioned in the Quran. Other than Friday being highlighted for its congregational prayer, Allah SWT has named an entire Surah after this prayer and the day of the week, Surah Al-Jumuah. Allah SWT addresses the believers in this Surah:
“O, believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday (Jummah), then proceed to the remembrance of Allah SWT and leave off business. That is best for you if only you knew.” (Holy Quran, 62:9)
This surah of the Quran refers to Friday as ‘the Day of Assembly’, Yawm al-Jumu’ah, and stresses upon the importance of its congregational prayer, encouraging the believers to set aside their worldly affairs and hasten towards prayer and remembrance of Allah SWT. This distinctive mention is strongly indicative of the divine blessings of this day of worship, prayer, dhikr and spiritual elevation.
Communal Importance
The day of Jumuah, as the name indicates, has been assigned a very vital and specific role in the unification and strengthening of the Muslim Ummah and Islam in general. For a short and limited time period, Muslims leave off their worldly affairs and come together to bond spiritually and communally as they sit for the Khutbah (sermon) together, followed by the congregational prayer. This strongly emphasizes one unmistakable purpose, that of bringing the Muslim Ummah together once every week.
Virtues of Juma’ah
Allah SWT in His Wisdom has singled out Friday for veneration from all the days of the week, choosing to prescribe a special congregational prayer and certain rituals that are not prescribed for other days. While the additional rituals carry their own rewards, the virtues of the day of Jumuah are numerous as multiple Ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ testify.
1. A Day of Congregational Worship
In addition to the immense significance of Friday, the Jumuah prayer, a congregational mandatory prayer held in the Masajid, holding abundant rewards and virtues, elevates its status even more. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
‘The Friday prayer is obligatory on him who hears the call.’ (Abu Dawud)
In another oft quoted hadith, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
‘The person who has a bath on Friday, purifies himself as far as possible, applies oil to his hair, applies perfume, leaves for the mosque, when he arrives at the mosque he does not sit down by removing anyone from his place, offers as many nafl prayers as possible when the imam delivers the khutbah he remains silent – then his sins from the previous Friday till now will be forgiven.’ (Bukhari 883)
This gathering for prayer is obligatory and highly important. Regarding its neglect, the Prophet ﷺ said (narrated by Companion Abu’l-Ja’d al-Damari RA):
‘Whoever neglects three Jumu’ahs, Allah will place a seal on his heart.’ (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 1052)
In another hadith narration, the Prophet ﷺ was heard saying from the pulpit:
‘Let people stop neglecting Jumu’ah, or Allah will place a seal on their hearts, then they will be among those who are neglectful.’ (Narrated by Muslim, 865)
2. Special Hour of Acceptance
It comes in many different narrations of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ that there is a specific time on Friday in which the duas and supplications are highly likely to be accepted by Allah SWT. It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah RA that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ mentioned Friday and said:
‘On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it’ – and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is.’ (Narrated by al-Bukhari/Muslim)
Regarding when exactly this blessed time is, the scholars have several opinions based on the following two Ahadith. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
‘Friday has twelve hours. Amongst them there is an hour in which a Muslim does not ask Allah for anything but He gives it to him. So seek it in the last hour after the afternoon prayer.’ (Sunan Abi Dawud 1048, Sunan an-Nasa’i 1389)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
‘It is between when the Imam sits down to when the prayer ends’. [Muslim]
One of the strongest opinions given by the scholars is that this hour is the ‘Last Hour after Asar Prayer, which is the hour before sunset. Allah knows best.
3. Forgiveness of Sins
In a hadith narrated by the companion Abu Hurairah RA, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
The five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadhan to Ramadhan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins. (Sahi Muslim)
Amongst the many blessings and virtues of Friday, is the opportunity to get our sins forgiven, by simply performing the simple act of Ghusal (bath). In a hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is reported to have said,
‘If any Muslim performs a Ghusl (ritual purification) on Friday, that is all purification he needs even from minor sins till the next Friday.’ (Sahih Muslim)
4. Respite from Trials of Grave
The trials of the graves are a reality indeed, dependent upon the life a person has led. Allah SWT has blessed Jumu’ah so much so that if a believer dies during the day on a Friday, he will be saved from the punishments of the grave. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said,
‘No Muslim dies on the day of Friday, nor the night of Friday, except Allah SWT protects him from the trial of the grave.’ (Tirmidhi)
5. Virtues of Sending Durood on Prophet SAW on Friday
Indeed, Sending Salawat (greetings and blessings) upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is not just a highly encouraged action for the believers but a virtuous act about which Allah SWT Himself says in the Quran:
Surely, Allah and His angels send blessings to the Prophet. O you who believe, do pray Allah to bless him, and send your Salām (prayer for his being in peace) to him in abundance. (33:56)
There are numerous Ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ in which he has highlighted sending of durood with the immense virtues linked with it. It was narrated from the Companion Aws ibn Aws RA that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam (peace be upon him) 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 (i.e. on Friday), for your blessings will be shown to me.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?” He said, “Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets.’ (Narrated by Abu Dawud, 1047)
It is reported in Sahih Muslim that he ﷺ said, ‘Increase your supplications for me on the day and night of Friday. Whoever blesses me once, Allah will bless him ten times.’ (al-Sunan al-Kubrá 5854)
6. Virtues of Reciting Surah Kahf on Friday
The recitation of Surah Al-Kahf on Friday is emphasized and encouraged in Muslim circles because of its virtue on this particular day. The Companion Abu Sa’id al-Khudri RA reports that the Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.’ (Narrated by al-Hakim; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Targhib, 836)
Virtues and Blessings of Attending Jumu'ah Prayers
The weekly congregational prayer on Friday that Muslims pray at a specific time after midday is more commonly known as the Jumu’ah in Islam. Muslims are advised to offer the congregational Jumu’ah prayer when the sun is declining or right after midday. There are two Azaans (Call for Prayer) given before the prayer with a Khutbah (sermon) before the second one. The Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ for the Jumuah prayer was as following:
- 4 Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah
- 2 Fardh (prayed in congregation)
- 4 Sunnah Muaakkadah (Emphasized Sunnah)
This pivotal act of worship is performed collectively, wherein Muslim men gather in Masjids to first listen to the khutba, offer two rakaahs of fardh prayer with the recommended Sunnahs and engage in supplication. This is a significant day strongly indicative of unity, harmony and the acknowledgement of Allah’s SWT sovereignty as the believers gather together for Allah SWT, to seek forgiveness and the blessings of that day as they strengthen their spiritual bond with their Lord.
The Jumu’ah prayer has been given a special venerable status in Islam as evidenced by its mention in Surah Al-Jumuah and the various Ahadith quoted above. The reason why it is singled out from the other obligatory prayers is because of certain characteristics and conditions which are necessary for the prayer to be valid. Some of these distinguishing features of the Jumuah include*:
- It is offered only in Congregation
- Ghusal (bath) is strongly recommended for it
- There has to be a minimum number of worshippers for it to be Valid
- There is a Khutbah (sermon) before the prayer
- The recitation is done out loud unlike in Zuhr congregation.
It is important to understand that that the significance of a certain action in Islam is not only concluded from its virtues but also through the consequences of not performing that action. Regarding missing three consecutive Jummahs, without a reasonable excuse or out of heedlessness, the companion Abu Al-Ja'd Ad-Damri narrates from the Prophet ﷺ:
Whoever missed three jumu'ahs out of negligence, Allah will place a seal over his heart. (An-Nisai 1369)
Recommended Worship and Actions for Jumu’ah
Certain recommended actions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ for Jumu’ah, derived from the Quran, Hadith and Sunnah have been highlighted below:
Taking Ghusal (Ritual Bath)
It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar RA said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) delivered a khutbah and said: 'When any one of you wants to go to Jumu'ah, let him perform ghusl.’ (An-Nasai 1405)
Cutting Nails
Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) reported that
‘Five are the demonstrations of fitra (nature/ instinct): 1) circumcision, 2) evacuating the hair underneath the navel, 3) trimming the mustache, 4) trimming the nails, and 5) cutting the hair of the armpits.’ (Al-Bukhari)
Wearing Clean/Best of Clothes
Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra and Abu Sa’id al-Khudri RA both relate that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever has a bath on Friday, puts on the best of his clothes, applies perfume if he has any, then attends Friday prayer without crossing over people’s necks, then performs what Allah has prescribed for him, then remains silent from the time his Imam comes out [to deliver the sermon] until he finishes his prayer, it will atone for his [minor] sins committed in between this Friday prayer and the Friday prayer of the previous week.” (Sunan Abi Dawud no: 347, Musnad Ahmad, and Mustadrak of al-Hakim no: 1084)
Wear Ittar/attar (non-alcoholic perfume).
(See Previous Hadith)
Send Salutations Upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Anas bin Malik said:
‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "Whoever sends salah upon me once, Allah (SWT) will send salah upon him tenfold, and will erase ten sins from him, and will raise him ten degrees in status.’ (An-Nisai 1297)
Walk to the Masjid
Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
He who purifies (performs Wudhu) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (masjid) for performing an obligatory Salah, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” (Muslim)
Arrive Early to the Masjid
The companion Abu Hurairah RA narrates: Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said,
‘When it is Jumuah, the Angels stand at the gate of the masjid and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the masjid in succession according to their arrivals.
The example of the one who enters the masjid 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 sermon) they (i.e. Angels) fold their papers and listen to the sermon. [Translation of Sahih Al-Bukhari]”
Listening Carefully to Jummah Khutba (Sermon)
Listening to the Khutbah attentively includes not interrupting the speaker, not whispering/ talking to the person next to you and not asking questions during the Khutbah (staying silent even if you do not understand). This also includes ‘shushing’ someone or telling them to keep quiet.
Abu Hurairah RA reports from the Prophet ﷺ:
“If you tell your companion to be quiet and listen on Friday when the imam is delivering the khutbah, you have engaged in idle talk.” Narrated by al-Bukhari (892).
and in another narration:
“Whoever speaks during the Khutbah while the Imaam is talking will gain no reward from this Jumu'ah."[Ahmad].
Making Dua
In the light of the discussion in the section of Special Hour of Acceptance, it is strongly recommended to make dua and supplication, not just during the after Asar hour but in the day in general. Be grateful to Allah SWT, seek his forgiveness, ask for His Mercy and pray for whatever you want. Islamic traditional scholars make it a point to encourage sitting down after Asar prayer till Maghrib to engage in supplications and reciting durood. At DEENIN, we are committed to creating ease for your worship, and in case of difficulties in sitting for long intervals, we have you covered. The ABDEEZ Prayer Rug with Backrest is a highly convenient prayer mat which is designed to ensure you get time to spiritually connect with faith while looking out for your health. The ABDEEZ Portable Prayer Mat can be carried easily to facilitate one in finding a proper place to pray and supplicate in the absence of a Masjid nearby.
What NOT to Do on Friday
As with every religious commandment for worship, it is imperative to understand that while doing ‘more’ is rewardable, it is forbidden to single out Fridays for acts of worship that are not part of the Islamic Shariah and giving them a self-appointed status. It was narrated from Abu Hurairah RA that the Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Do not single out the night of Friday for qiyaam al-layl, and do not single out the day of Friday for fasting, unless that is part of the habitual fasting of any one of you.’ ((Narrated by Muslim, 1144)
Imam Al-Nawawi said:
This hadith clearly states that it is forbidden to single out the night of Friday for prayer or the day of Friday for fasting. It is agreed (among the scholars) that this is makruh.’
*Please consult a traditional religious scholar or a jurist for complete and detailed rulings and information.
Bibliography
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Aimen. (2024, January 22). The 12 Important Sunnahs of Jummah (with a Free Friday Special Checklist). Muslim Empowerment. https://muslimempowerment.com/12-sunnahs-of-jummah-checklist/
Al-Kawthari, M. M. I. A. (2020, April 7). Is wearing white clothes on Fridays a sunna for men? Darul Iftaa. https://daruliftaa.com/salat-prayer/is-wearing-white-clothes-on-fridays-a-sunna-for-men/
Ashfaq, Z. (2023, August 18). 10 Must things to do on Jummah (Friday Prayer). The Islamic Information.
https://theislamicinformation.com/blogs/jummah-things-to-do/#google_vignette
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Muslim Hands. (2021, January 7). 12 Unique Virtues of Fridays! https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2021/01/benefits-of-friday-in-islam-quran-and-hadith
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What are the recommended acts of worship on Friday? - Islam Question & Answer. (n.d.). Islam Question & Answer. https://islamqa.info/en/answers/13815/what-are-the-recommended-acts-of-worship-on-friday
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