The importance of Friday Prayer is well known to the Muslim ummah. There are explicit verses in the Qur’an and Sunah that highlight this and also gives us guidelines on how to make the best out of this Salaah. In my humble attempt, I have tried to list out the benefits of the Jumu’ah Salaah and the ways we could resort to in order to reap them, in shaa’ Allah and in the process beautify your Jum’ah salaah.
Friday is called Al-Jumu`ah because it is derived from Al-Jam`, literally meaning “gathering”. 1
The Prophet 
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 haraam, 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.” 2
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 haraam, 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.” 2
Ibn al-Qayyim (rahimullah) said:
“Jumu‘ah prayer is singled out from among all the other obligatory prayers for having particular characteristics that are not found in other prayers including the fact that it is offered in congregation, has a minimum number of worshipers required in order for it to be valid, the iqaamah is a condition of it being valid, one must not be traveling in order for it to be obligatory, and the recitation is done out loud.” [3. Zaad al-Ma‘aad, 1/384-385]
VIRTUES OF THE FRIDAY PRAYER
- Abu Hurayrah
narrated that the Messenger of Allah
- It was narrated by Al-Ja’d ad-Damri
- It was narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-‘As
SUNNAH OF FRIDAY PRAYER
Before the Friday prayer:
- Close your business before Salaah:
“[Are] men whom neither commerce nor sale distracts from the remembrance of Allah and performance of prayer and giving of zakah. …That Allah may reward them [according to] the best of what they did and increase them from His bounty. ….” (Surah An-Nur, 24:37-38)
Allah 
praises those individuals who close their business fearing Allah and rush towards Salaah. They seek and hope for His bounties and fear His punishment!
praises those individuals who close their business fearing Allah and rush towards Salaah. They seek and hope for His bounties and fear His punishment!- Performing Ghusl:
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said, “Whoever does ghusl then comes to Jumu’ah, 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 Jumu’ah and three more days.” 6
that the Prophet said, “Whoever does ghusl then comes to Jumu’ah, 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 Jumu’ah and three more days.” 6
Al-Nawawi said: “The scholars said that what is meant by his being forgiven between the two Jumu’ahs and three more days is that a good deed is worth ten like it, so he will be rewarded with ten hasanahs for each of the good deeds that he did on Friday.” 7
- Reaching Early for Jum’ah Prayer:
The Messenger of Allahsaid, “Whoever does ghusl on Friday like ghusl for janaabah, 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.” 8
said, “Whoever does ghusl on Friday like ghusl for janaabah, 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.” 8- Walking to Jumu’ah Prayer:
The Messenger of Allah said, “Whoever does ghusl on Friday ….., and sets out early, ….for every step he takes, he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.” 9
said, “Whoever does ghusl on Friday ….., and sets out early, ….for every step he takes, he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.” 9- Wearing fresh/new clothes for Jumu’ah:
It was narrated from ‘Abdullah bin Salam that he heard the Messenger of Allah saying on the pulpit one Friday, “There is nothing wrong with anyone of you buying two garments for Friday (prayer), other than his daily work clothes.” 10
that he heard the Messenger of Allah saying on the pulpit one Friday, “There is nothing wrong with anyone of you buying two garments for Friday (prayer), other than his daily work clothes.” 10
Friday is the Eid day for Muslims. Therefore, they should dress themselves with the finest clothes when going for the Friday Prayer.
6. Applying hair oil and Perfume and the use of Siwaak:
The Messenger of Allahstressed on the application of hair oil, use of siwaak 11 and perfume (for men only) on Friday. The main idea behind this recommendation is that the person feels fresh and others can also benefit from the good smell.
stressed on the application of hair oil, use of siwaak 11 and perfume (for men only) on Friday. The main idea behind this recommendation is that the person feels fresh and others can also benefit from the good smell.
It was narrated by Salman-Al-Farsi that the Prophetsaid, “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) …… his sins in between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” 12
that the Prophetsaid, “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) …… his sins in between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” 12
Whilst Attending The Prayer:
- Splitting 2 people sitting together:
It was narrated by Salman-Al-Farsi that the Prophet said, “……. then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque) …… his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” 13
that the Prophet said, “……. then proceeds (for the Jumua prayer) and does not separate two persons sitting together (in the mosque) …… his sins in-between the present and the last Friday would be forgiven.” 13- Making place for others:
Jabir reported Allah’s Apostle as saying, “None amongst you should make his brother stand on Friday (during the congregational prayer) and then occupy his-place. but he should only say to him (Accommodate me).” 14
reported Allah’s Apostle as saying, “None amongst you should make his brother stand on Friday (during the congregational prayer) and then occupy his-place. but he should only say to him (Accommodate me).” 14- Stepping over others Shoulder:
It was narrated from Abu Az-Zahiriyah about ‘Abdullah bin Busr, he said: “I was sitting beside him on Friday and he said: ‘A man came, stepping over people’s necks, and the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Sit down, you are disturbing people.” 15
- Speaking during the Khutbah:
It was narrated from Abu Hurairahthat the Messenger of Allahsaid: “If you say to your companion: ‘Be quiet and listen’ when the imam is delivering the Khutbah, you have engaged in idle speech.” 16
that the Messenger of Allahsaid: “If you say to your companion: ‘Be quiet and listen’ when the imam is delivering the Khutbah, you have engaged in idle speech.” 16- Sitting close to the Imaam:
It was narrated by Samurah ibn Jundub that the Prophetsaid, “Attend the sermon (on Friday) and sit near the imam, for a man keeps himself away until he will be left behind at the time of entering Paradise though he enters it.” 17
that the Prophetsaid, “Attend the sermon (on Friday) and sit near the imam, for a man keeps himself away until he will be left behind at the time of entering Paradise though he enters it.” 17- Ihtiba’:
Mu’adh bin Anas Al-Juhani said that, “The Prophet forbade (us) from sitting with our legs drawn up to our belly (Ihtiba’) during the Friday Khutbah (religious talk before the prayer).” 18
said that, “The Prophet forbade (us) from sitting with our legs drawn up to our belly (Ihtiba’) during the Friday Khutbah (religious talk before the prayer).” 18
The original Arabic word is hubtaah or ihtibaa. The Prophethas prohibited sitting in this manner since a man may easily become drowsy and his ablution may also break in this position. There are various opinions regarding this issue. 19
has prohibited sitting in this manner since a man may easily become drowsy and his ablution may also break in this position. There are various opinions regarding this issue. 19- Feeling drowsy during the Khutbah:
Ibn Umarnarrated that the Prophetsaid, “When one of you becomes sleepy during the Friday prayer, then let him move from where he is sitting.” 20
narrated that the Prophetsaid, “When one of you becomes sleepy during the Friday prayer, then let him move from where he is sitting.” 20
After the Friday prayer:
- Praying 4 Rak’ah Sunnah:
Abu Hurairahreported that the Messenger of Allahsaid, “If anyone of you performs the Friday prayer, he should perform four Rak’ah (Sunnah) after it.” 21]
reported that the Messenger of Allahsaid, “If anyone of you performs the Friday prayer, he should perform four Rak’ah (Sunnah) after it.” 21]- Changing Place after Jumu’ah Prayers:
Al- Sa’ib informed ‘Umar bin Ata about what he had seen in the prayer of Mu’awiya that, “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 had ordered us to do this and not to combine two (types of) prayers without talking or going out.” 22
3. Buying and Selling After The Friday Prayer:
“And when the Prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah. And remember Allah much that you may prosper or be successful.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 62:10)
Jumu’ah is a gift from Allah to us just like the 2 Eids. Allahhas given us the opportunity every week to bask under the shade of His blessings. We would truly succeed in this if we follow it with pure and sincere intentions. The punishment for skipping prayers is severe as Allahdescribes in the verse:
to us just like the 2 Eids. Allahhas given us the opportunity every week to bask under the shade of His blessings. We would truly succeed in this if we follow it with pure and sincere intentions. The punishment for skipping prayers is severe as Allahdescribes in the verse:‘But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet Destruction and Hell..” (Surah Maryam, 19: 59)
May Allah protect us from falling into this category and guide us onto the straight path!
protect us from falling into this category and guide us onto the straight path!
Surah al Kahf is the 18th Surah of Qur’an and it tells the story of the believers in ancient time who when received the message of Truth accepted it. However, they were to face retaliation from the society they lived in and hence the flee from the city and found protection in a cave where Allah Almighty gave them sleep that lasted for centuries and till then their whole city had converted into believers. This Surah gives the message that those who believe in Allah and ask for protection from Him, He gives them the best protection the likes of which the world has never seen.
The Virtues Of Reciting Surah Kahf On Jumu’ah in the Light of Hadith
The Surah also comes with a variety of virtues as described in the hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
“Whoever reads Surah al Kahf on the day of Jummah will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” (al-Jaami)
“One who memorized the first ten verses of Surah al Kahf will be secure against the Dajjal (Anti-Christ).” (Muslim)
‘Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah (Friday), a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.’” [Al-Mundhiri رحمة اللہ علیه said, this was narrated by Abu Bakr ibn Mardawayh رحمة اللہ علیه in his Tafseer, with an isnaad with which there was nothing wrong]
Al-Mannaawi also said: “It is recommended to read it during the day or night of Jumu’ah, as al-Shaafa’i (rahmatullahi alaih) stated.” (Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/198)
