Jumu'ah Prayers: Here we come!

Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Raheem.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Alameen (heavens & the earth, jinns, mankind & all that exists).

My dear brothers & sisters, there are many distinguishing features and virtues that Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon the day of Friday and not on any other day. And the most important act of worship for any Muslim on this day is none other that the Jumu'ah prayer. Allah (SWT) says in the Glorious Qur'an:

“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on Friday (i.e. Jumuah prayers), come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business (and every other thing); That is better for you if you did but know!” [Qur’an 62:9]

It was narrated from Abu’l-Ja’d al-Damari that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever neglects three Jumu’ahs, Allah will place a seal upon his heart.”

[Abu Dawood, 1052]

WASHING AWAY THE SINS

Narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, and from one Jumu’ah to the next, are an expiation for whatever sins come in between, so long as one does not commit any major sin.”

[Sahih Muslim, 233]

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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.”

[Sahih Muslim, 857]

GOING EARLY FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS

Narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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.”

[Sahih Bukhaari, 814 and Sahih Muslim, 850]

WALKING TO THE MASJID ON FRIDAY

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam (tahajjud prayer) for one year.”

[Sahih al-Tirmidhi, 410]

HOW TO PREPARE FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS?

1 . A good Muslim starts preparing from Thursday evening in anticipation of the Friday prayers. The most unfortunate person will be he who does not even know as to when Friday will fall, so much so that he will ask the people in the morning as to which day this is.

2 . Getting out ones nicest, cleanest clothes and keeping them ready.

3 . On the day of Jumu'ah, ghusl (bath) should be made. Clipping the nails and using miswak are also some things that are highly recommended.

4 . After making ghusl, a person should wear the best clothing that he possesses, and if possible, he should also apply perfume.

5 . One should try and go very early to the masjid, as the merits for doing so are great in the sight of Allah!

6 . There is a lot of reward in reciting Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18 of the Qur’an) on Fridays; its noor (light/wisdom) will guide you from one Friday to the next.

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.”

[al-Haakim 2/399, al-Bayhaqi 3/249]

7 . Send peace & blessings upon the Prophet (s.a.w.) as much as you can since the reward for this on Friday is greater than on any other day.

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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, 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, peace be upon them.”

[Abu Dawood 1047]

8 . A lot of dua should be made on Friday.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) 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.

[Sahih Bukhari 893, Sahih Muslim 852]

Having read the above, can a Muslim even think of depriving himself of the merits & rewards associated with this fard responsibility? We ask Allah (SWT) to forgive our sins, to always keep us firm on the rightly guided path and to make us of those with whom He is greatly pleased!

Thanks for reading; Jazzakum'Allahu khairan!