Posted by Admin on 8/21/2017 9:51 AM | Comments (0)

In every religion of the world, one day holds special significance over others. For example, For Jews, it is Saturday. For christians, it is Sunday, and for Muslims, it is Friday.

 

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah said: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “We (Muslims) are the last (of the nations) but (we will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection,  although the former nations were given their scriptures before us and we were given our after them. And this (Friday) is the day concerning which they disputed. So Allah guided us (to it), tomorrow (i.e., Saturday) is for the Jews and the day after (i.e., Sunday) is for the Christians.” [1] 

 According to Al-Nawawi, Al-Qadi said that this hadith shows that the Jews and Christians were meant to respect Friday as their special day, but were not given clear instructions, thus, they disputed amongst themselves, and chose other days of the week for themselves. However, for Muslims, there were clear cut instructions, and the Muslims were given Friday as a blessing.

 

What makes Friday so special for us?  

Friday enjoys the status of being the premier day of the week because a number of milestone events took place on Friday, and would take place in future, too.

1.      According to a hadith, it is the best day of the week. According to another hadith, it is the master of all days.

2.      Adam (AS) was created on Friday.

3.      Adam (AS) entered Jannah on Friday.

4.      Adam (AS) was expelled from Jannah and sent down on Earth on Friday, too.

5.      Adam (AS) died on Friday.

6.      Friday will be the day on which the trumpet would be blown to declare the start of the Day of the Judgement.

7.      There is one opportune moment every Friday, in which any dua that a Muslim makes, would be accepted, if it's not anything haram or unlawful.

[According to ahadith narrated by Muslim, Al-Jumu’ah, 1410,  by Abu Dawood, 1047, by Ibn Majah 1084]

 

8. According to a hadith narrated by Tirmidhi, another important characteristic of Friday is that it saves the Muslim from the trials of grave, if the Muslim dies on Friday.

 

9. Friday prayer is a means of expiation of sins, if offered in the right manner.

 

It was narrated by Salman Al-Farsi (RA): 

Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, "Anyone who takes a bath on Friday and cleans himself as much as he can and puts oil (on his hair) or scents himself; and then proceeds for the prayer and does not force his way between two persons (assembled in the mosque for the Friday prayer), and prays as much as is written for him and remains quiet when the Imam delivers the Khutba, all his sins in between the present and the last Friday will be forgiven." [2] 

 

If Friday is so important for us, how should we attempt to spend it?

Here are some Sunnahs that we should be attempting to cover every Friday.

1.       Do Ghusl. According to one hadith, Ghusl is wajib for every adult Muslim, who intends to pray Jumu'ah.[3]

 

2. Wear your best clean clothes, clean your teeth with miswak, and wear perfume.

 

3. Go early for salat ul Jumu'ah, and khutbah

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday like ghusl for janabah, then goes to the prayer (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.” [4] 

 

4. Offer two rakah tahiyyah tul masjid, before Friday prayer.

5. Take the available spot. Do not force your self between two already sitting persons. Do not attempt to make space in the first rows, if you have arrived a bit late.

6. Remain quiet during the Khutbah. Telling someone to be quiet, would come under talking, too.

4. Read Surah Kahaf, during the day, or Friday night. According to a hadith reading Surah Kahaf on Friday ensures Nur for the reader, from one Friday to another.

5. Recite Darood through out the day, as much as you can.

6. Make dua, because there is an opportune time on Friday when the dua gets accepted.

There are a few conditions of establishing Friday prayer.

1.      Male Muslim. For females, it is not essential to establish Jumu'ah prayer.

2.      Free Muslim. It is not essential for slaves to offer Jumu'ah prayer.

3.      Adult Muslim. Jumu'ah is essential for every adult Muslim. Jumu'ah prayer is not compulsory for underage children.

4.      Healthy Muslim. For sick, and very old, it is not essential to establish Jumu'ah prayer.

5.      Resident Muslim. For a traveller, it is not compulsory to offer Jumu'ah prayer. He can offer his Zuhur Salah.

 

The Messenger of Allah(SAW) several times warned not to miss Friday Prayers, lest our hearts be sealed, and we be taken as heedless, or negligent. [5]

 

We should make an effort not to skip Jumu'ah prayer, while trying to fulfil all the conditions and Sunnahs of Jumu'ah prayer. May Allah accept all our efforts, ibadah, and duas. Ameen.

 

References:

 

[1] Narrated by al-Bukhari, Al-Jumu’ah, 847

[2] Narrated by Sahih al-Bukhari, Al- Jumu'ah, 910

[3] Narrated by Bukhari, Al- Jumu'ah 879

[4] Narrated by Al-Bukhaari (814), Muslim (850) 

[5] Narrated by Sahih Muslim, 865