FRIDAY – THE DAY OF GATHERING:

 

✦ Friday is called Al-Jumu`ah in Arabic because it is derived from Al-Jam`, literally meaning congregation or gathering. The people of Islam gather weekly, on every Friday in the major places of worship. It was during Friday when Allah finished the creation, the sixth day, during which Allah created the heavens and earth. During Friday, Allah created Adam, and he was placed in Paradise, and ironically, it was a Friday when he was taken out of Paradise. It will be on a Friday when the Last Hour will commence. There is an hour during Friday, wherein no faithful servant asks Allah for something good, but Allah will give him what he asked for.

 

➤ QUR’AN:

 

✦ Besides the five obligatory prayers, Allah (Glory be to Him) has also ordained the “Jumah” (Friday Congregational Prayer) as a necessary prayer on the Muslims as is made clear in the following ayath of the Qur’an as: “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” And when the Prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah (Glory be to Him): and celebrate the Praises of Allah (Glory be to Him) often (and without stint): that you may prosper. Qur’an.SurahJumu’ah 62:9-10

 

➤ HADEETH:

 

✦ It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does ghusl, then comes to Jumu’ah, and prays what is decreed for him, then listens attentively until the khutbah is over, then prays with him (the imam), will be forgiven (his sins) between that and the next Jumu’ah, and three days more.” Sahih Muslim 857; a similar report was narrated from Salmaan al-Faarisi(R) by Sahih al Bukhari 883

 

✦ Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever makes his wife do ghusl and does ghusl himself [i.e., has intercourse] on Friday and goes out early, walking not riding, and comes close to the imaam and listens [to the sermon] without interrupting, will have for each step he takes a reward equal to that of fasting and praying at night for one year.” Narrated by Ahmad and al-Tirmidhi; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb wa’l-Tarheeb, no. 687

 

 ➤ SIGNIFICANCE OF FRIDAY:

 

✦ Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Ibn as-Sabbaq that The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said in a jumua, “Muslims! Allah has made this day a festival day (id) so do ghusl, and it will not harm whoever has perfume to apply some of it, and use a tooth-stick . ” Muwatta Malik  (English) reference: Book 2, Hadith 115;Arabic reference: Book 2, Hadith 144)

✦ Abu Hurairah(R) narrated that the Prophet said: “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.” Sahih Muslim 854 b;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1857; Jami` at-Tirmidhi 488;In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 1;

 

✦ It is narrated by Abu Huraira(R) that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:It was Friday from which Allah diverted those who were before us. For the Jews (the day set aside for prayer) was Sabt (Saturday), and for the Christians it was Sunday. And Allah turned towards us and guided us to Friday (as the day of prayer) for us. In fact, He (Allah) made Friday, Saturday and Sunday (as days of prayer). In this order would they (Jews and Christians) come after us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of (the Ummahs) among the people in this world and the first among the created to be judged on the Day of Resurrection. In one narration it is: ‘, to be judged among them”. Sahih Muslim 856 a;( Book 4, Hadith 1862)

✦ Narrated AbuHurayrah(R):The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he was expelled (from Paradise), on it his contrition was accepted, on it he died, and on it the Last Hour will take place. On Friday every beast is on the lookout from dawn to sunrise in fear of the Last Hour, but not jinn and men, and it contains a time at which no Muslim prays and asks anything from Allah but He will give it to him. Ka’b said: That is one day every year. So I said: It is on every Friday. Ka’b read the Torah and said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has spoken the truth. AbuHurayrah(R): said: I met Abdullah ibn Salam and told him of my meeting with Ka’b. Abdullah ibn Salam said: I know what time it is. AbuHurayrah said: I asked him to tell me about it. Abdullah ibn Salam said: It is at the very end of Friday. I asked: How can it be when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) has said: “No Muslim finds it while he is praying….” and this is the moment when no prayer is offered. Abdullah ibn Salam said: Has the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) not said: “If anyone is seated waiting for the prayer, he is engaged in the prayer until he observes it.” I said: Yes, it is so.  Sunan Abi Dawud 1046

 

➤ GOING EARLY FOR FRIDAY PRAYER:

 

✦ Narrated Abu Huraira(R): The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) 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 Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba.” Sahih al-Bukhari 929;(English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 51; Sahih al-Bukhari 3211;(English) reference: Vol. 4, Book 54, Hadith 433; Sunan Abi Dawud 351;In-book reference: Book 1, Hadith 351)

 

➤ COMPULSION OF CEREMONIAL BATH(GHUSL):

 

✦ Abu Sa`id Al-Khudri(R):The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said, “Ghusl (taking a bath) on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim reaching the age of puberty.” Sahih al-Bukhari 858;(English) reference: Vol. 1, Book 12, Hadith 817 and Sahih Muslim 846 a;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1838

 

✦ Narrated `Abdullah bin `Umar:Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) (p.b.u.h) said, “Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath.” Sahih al-Bukhari 877;(English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 2

 

✦ Abdullah (b. ‘Umar) reported from his father that while he was addressing the people on Friday (sermon), a person, one of the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), entered (the mosque). Umar said to him loudly:What is this hour (for attending the prayer)? He said: I was busy today and I did not return to my house when I heard the call (to Friday prayer), and I did no more but performed ablution only. Upon this Umar said: just ablution! You know that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) commanded (us) to take a bath (on Friday). Sahih Muslim 845 a;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1836

 

✦ Samurah:If any one of you performs ablution (on Friday) that is all right; and if any of you takes a bath, that is better. Sunan Abi Dawud 354;

 

➤ ONE SHOULD CHANGE HIS PLACE:

 

✦ Abdullah ibn Umar(R) :The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: When any of you dozes in the mosque (on Friday), he should change his place. Classed as sahih by Shaikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1119;English translation: Book 3, Classed as sahih by Shaikh Albani in Hadith 1114; Jami` at-Tirmidhi 526;In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 39

 

➤ ADVICE FOR KHATEEB OR IMAAM:

 

✦ Jabir ibn Samurah as-Suwa’i:The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) would not lengthen the sermon on Friday. He would say a few words. Classed as sahih by Shaikh albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1107;English translation: Book 3, Hadith 1102)

 

➤ SOME PROHIBITED ACTS ON FRIDAY:

 

✦ It was narrated from ‘Amr bin Shu’aib, from his father, from his grandfather, that the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) forbade sitting in circles on Friday before Jumu’ah prayer, and buying and selling in the Masjid. Hasan in Sunan an-Nasa’i 714 ;English translation: Vol. 1, Book 8, Hadith 715)

 

✦ Narrated Anas ibn Malik:The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) prohibited to sit on hips by erecting feet, sticking them to the stomach and holding them with hands on Friday while the imam is delivering the sermon. Classed as sahih by Shaikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1110;English translation: Book 3, Hadith 1105)

 

✦ Abu Hurairah reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) as saying:When you tell (your brother on Friday) to be silent while the imam is giving the sermon you are guilty of idle talk.  Classed as sahih by Shaikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1112;English translation: Book 2, Hadith 1107)

 

✦ Yahya related to me from Malik from Nafi that Abdullah ibn Umar saw two men talking while the Imam was giving the khutba on the day of jumua and he threw pebbles at them to tell them to be quiet.  Muwatta Malik (English) reference: Book 5, Hadith 9;Arabic reference : Book 5, Hadith 234)

 

➤ OFFERING 2 RAKAT SUNNAH ON FRIDAY BEFORE SITTING:

 

✦ Jabir said:I came (to the mouse) while the Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) was giving the (Friday) sermon. He asked: Did you pray, so-and-so? He replied: No. He said: Stand and pray. Classed as sahih by Shaikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1115;English translation: Book 2, Hadith 1110

 

✦ Jabir b. ‘Abdullah(R) reported: Sulaik Ghatafani came on Friday when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was delivering the sermon. He (Sulaik) sat down. He (the Prophet) said to him: 0 Sulaik I stand and observe two rak’ahs and make them short, and then said: When any one of you comes on Friday, while the Imam delivers the sermon, he should observe two rak’ahs and should make them short. Sahih Muslim 875 g;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1903

 

➤ VIRTUES OF ATTENDING JUMU’AH SALAH:

 

✦ Abu Al-Ash’ath narrated that:He heard Aws bin Aws, the Companion of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) say: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: ‘Whoever performs Ghusl on Friday and washes (ghassala), and comes early to the masjid, walking not riding, and sits close to the imam and listens attentively and does not engage in idle speech, for every step he takes he will have (the reward of) a year’s worth of good deeds.'” (Sahih) Sunan an-Nasa’iEnglish reference: Vol. 2, Book 14, Hadith 1385;Arabic reference: Book 14, Hadith 1395)

 

✦ Yazid bin Abi Mariam said:”Abayah bin Rafi’ met me when I was walking to Friday prayers, and he said: ‘Rejoice, for these steps you are taking are in the cause of Allah. I heard Abu ‘Abs say: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Anyone whose feet become dusty in the cause of Allah, he will be forbidden to the Fire.’” Sunan an-Nasa’i 3116;English translation: Vol. 1, Book 25, Hadith 3118

 

✦ Abu Huraira(R) reported:The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. Sahih Muslim 233a;(English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 448; Jami` at-Tirmidhi 214;In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 66

 

✦ Narrated Salman-Al-Farsi(R):The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) (p.b.u.h) said, “Whoever takes a bath 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 Jumua 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 Khutba, his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” Sahih al-Bukhari 883; (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 8; Sunan Abi Dawud 1050;English translation   : Book 2, Hadith 1045; Sunan an-Nasa’I English reference : Vol. 2, Book 14, Hadith 1404;Arabic reference: Book 14, Hadith 1414

 

✦ Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As:The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) said: Three types of people attend Friday prayer; One is present in a frivolous way and that is all he gets from it; another comes with a supplication, Allah may grant or refuse his request as He wishes; another is present silently and quietly with-out stepping over a Muslim or annoying anyone, and that is an atonement for his sins till the next Friday and three days more, the reason being that Allah, the Exalted, says: “He who does a good deed will have ten times as much” (vi.160). Classed as Hasan by sheikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1113;English translation: Book 3, Hadith 1108)

 

➤ DANGER OF NOT OFFERING FRIDAY SALAH:

 

✦ It was narrated from Abu Al-Ja’d Ad-Damri-who was a Companion of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم)- that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:”Whoever missed three Jumu’ahs out of negligence, Allah (SWT) will place a seal over his heart.” Sahih Muslim 865;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1882,  (Hasan) Sunan Nasai English reference: Vol. 2, Book 4, Hadith 1370; Sunan Nasai Arabic reference: Book 14, Hadith 1378), Sunan Abi Dawud 1052;English translation: Book 3, Hadith 1047, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 500:In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 13, Ibn Majah 794;In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 60 and Muwatta Malik (English) reference: Book 5, Hadith 22;Muwatta Malik Arabic reference: Book 5, Hadith 245

 

➤ SENDING DUROON ON PROPHET(صلى الله عليه وسلم)

 

✦ Narrated Aws ibn Aws: The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) 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: Messenger 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.  Classed as sahih by Shaikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 1047;English translation: Book 3, Hadith 1042;

 

 ➤ AN SPECIAL HOUR ON FRIDAY:

 

✦ Narrated Abu Huraira(R): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) (p.b.u.h) 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. Sahih al-Bukhari 935(English) reference: Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 57; Sunan an-Nasa’i English reference: Vol. 2, Book 14, Hadith 1432;Arabic reference: Book 14, Hadith 1442

 

✦ Anas bin Malik narrated that :the Prophet said: “Seek out the hour that is hoped for on Friday after Asr until the sun has set.” Sahih in Jami` at-Tirmidhi 489;In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 2)

 

✦ Abu Burda b. Abu Musa al-Ash’ari reported:’Abdullah b. Umar said to me: Did you hear anything from your father narrating something from the messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) about the time on Friday? I said: Yes, I heard him say from the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) (these words):” It is between the time when the Imam sits down and the end of the prayer.” Sahih Muslim 853;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1855; Sunan Abi Dawud 1049;English translation: Book 2, Hadith 1044)

 

➤ VIRTUES OF RECITING SURAH KAHF:

 

✦ Abu Hisham reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever recites the chapter of the cave (surah al-kahf) as it was revealed will have light on the Day of Resurrection.” Al-Bayhaqi, Sunan Al-Kubra, Number 5856, Sahih

 

✦ Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever recites the chapter of the cave (surah al-kahf) on the day of Friday will have a light for him between this Friday and the next.” Al-Bayhaqi, Sunan Al-Kubra, Number 5856, Sahih

 

✦ Abu al-Darda’ reported the prophet (Peace be upon him) as saying :If anyone memorizes ten aayaath from the beginning of surat al-Kahf, he will be protected from the trial of Dajjal (Antichrist).

 

✦ Abu Dawud said: In this way Hashim al-dastawa’I transmitted it from Qatadah, but he said : “If anyone memorizes the closing aayaath of surat al-Kahf.” Shu’bah narrated from Qatadah the words “from the end of al-Kahf. Sahih Muslim 809 b;(English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 1767 and Classed as Sahih by sheikh Albani in Sunan Abi Dawud 4323;English translation: Book 38, Hadith 4309

 

✦ It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khduri that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 836;Sunan Al-Kubra Hadith 5856

 

➤ WORDINGS OF KHUTBA OR SERMON:

 

✦ Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who 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).” al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 836;Sunan Al-Kubra Hadith 5856

Al-Nisaa’i reported that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) taught us Khutbat al-Haajah:

Al-hamdu Lillaahi nasta’eenahu wa nastaghfiruhu, wa na’oodhu billaahi min shuroori anfusinaa wa sayi’aati a’maalinaa. Man yahdih Illaahu falaa mudilla lahu wa man yudlil falaa haadiya lahu. Wa ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu (Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger).

 

✦ Then he recited the following three aayaat (interpretation of the meaning): ‘Yaa ayyuha’lladheena aamanu-ttaqu’Llaaha haqqa tuqaatihi wa laa tamootunna illaa wa antum muslimoon (O you who believe! Fear Allaah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam (as Muslims) with complete submission to Allaah.)’ [Aal ‘Imraan 3:102],

 

‘ Yaa ayyuha’n-naas uttaqu rabbakum alladhi khalaqakum min nafsin waahidatin wa khalaqa minhaa zawjahaa wa baththa minhumaa rijaalan katheeran wa nisaa’an wa’ttaqu-Llaah alladhi tasaa’aloona bihi wa’l-arhaama inna Allaaha kaana ‘alaykum raqeeban (O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person, and from him He created his wife, and from them both He created many men and women, and fear Allaah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship) Surely, Allaah is Ever an All-Watcher over you).’ [al-Nisaa’ 4:1],

 

‘ Yaa ayyahu’lladheena aamanu-ttaqu’Llaaha wa qooloo qawlan sadeedan (O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allaah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth).’ [al-Ahzaab 33:70].”

 

➤ WHO ARE EXEMPTED FROM JUMU’AH SALAH:

 

✦ Narrated Tariq ibn Shihab: The Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) 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. Classed as sahih by sheikh Al-Albani) in Sunan Abi Dawud 1067;English translation: Book 3, Hadith 1062

 

➤ SCHOLARS VIEW:

 

✦ Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Fataawa (24/178): “The correct opinion, without a doubt… is that this (Jumu’ah and Eid prayers) are not obligatory for the traveller. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to travel frequently: he performed ‘Umrah three times, besides the ‘Umrah he performed along with Hajj. He performed his Farewell Pilgrimage accompanied by thousands upon thousands of people, and he went on more than twenty military campaigns, but there are no reports at all that say he prayed Jumu’ah or Eid prayers when travelling; he just prayed two rak’ahs [i.e., shortened prayers] as on all the other days.

 

 

REFERENCE:

https://www.askislampedia.com/en/wiki/-/wiki/English_wiki/Friday+%E2%80%93+the+day+of+gathering