Allah (s.a.w) says: "O you who believe! When the call for Friday prayer is made, come to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. This is best for you if only you know."
Dear Muslims! Allah (s.a.w) has favored the Muslim Nation, with the day of Friday. Friday is the best Day of the week. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said:"The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. [On Friday] Adam was created and on that day he entered paradise and on that day he was expelled from paradise. And the Hour will come to pass on Friday."
Friday has many unique features and virtues that Allah has bestowed upon this day and not others.
One – Supplication is accepted during a certain time on Friday. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: "There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he (or she) is performing prayer and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he (or she) is supplicating for.''
Two – In paradise, the believers will see Allah and visit Him on Friday. This is according to the interpretation of what Allah said in chapter 50 Verse 35 “They have therein what they wish and with Us is more yet”
Three – Friday is a special day for Muslims. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: “Allah has made this day (Friday) a day of Eid for the Muslims, therefore take a bath (on Fridays) …..
Four – On Friday, sins are forgiven. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: The one who had [a] bath on Friday, cleaned himself fully, used oil and perfume, then went to the mosque early in the afternoon and took his place quietly without pushing or disturbing the people; then offered the optional prayers; then listened to the sermon peacefully, he will have all his sins committed since the previous Friday forgiven.
Five – Good deeds done on Friday earns big rewards. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: “Whoever washed himself on Friday, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, he will get a reward for every step one year’s reward of fasting in the day and praying in the night.”
Six – Allah has honored this Day (Friday). Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: The Blazing fire will be commanded to intensify its heat every day, except on Friday.
Seven – Special status for those Muslims who die on Friday. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: “There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allah will protect him from the trial of the grave.”
Dear Muslims! On the occasion of the migration, Prophet Mohammad stayed at Qubà, a suburb of Maddina, for four days. On the fifth day, which was a Friday, he left for Maddina and served the first Friday Prayer in congregation on the way at the place of Baní Sálim ibn Auf.
The scholars are in agreement that Friday Prayer is an individual obligation upon every free, adult, sane, resident Muslim who has the ability to attend the Prayer and does not have a valid excuse to miss it. Friday Prayer, however, is not obligatory on Women and children, the person who is ill, for the traveler, and there are some other valid exceptions.
Dear Muslims! Friday is a special and honorable day, and its virtues and special benefits must be attained by performing various acts of worship.
Friday prayer is a very serious matter. Friday prayer has many virtues. Leaving it without any legal excuse is a great sin. It is a day that has rules and manners that Muslims need to adhere by and implement. Among these rules and manners are:
One – It is encouraged to frequently perform many prayers and salutations upon the Prophet. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: "The most righteous of your days is Friday. On that day, Adam was created and on that day he died, (on that day) the horn will be blown and the people will be astonished! Increase your prayers upon me, as your prayers upon me will be presented to me."
Two – Taking a bath for Friday prayer. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w)said: "Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath."
Three - Beautifying one's self with one's best clothing, using the miswak (tooth-stick)., and using perfume. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: The taking of a bath on Friday is a duty on every male Muslim who has attained the age of adulthood and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Miswak, and the using of perfume if it is available."
Four - Going early to the prayer is strongly recommended, and this is something abandoned by many Muslims today. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: “On the day of Friday, the angels stand at the door of the Mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the Mosque in series according to when they arrive. 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 chicken and then an egg respectively. Once the sermon starts, the angels fold their papers and listen to the sermon.”
Five- It is recommended that Muslims keeping one's self occupied with the remembrance of Allah, supplication, and recitation during the day.
Six - It is an obligation to listen to the sermon, and pay attention to what is being said. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: "If, during the sermon while the Imam is delivering khutbah, you tell your companion to be quiet, then you have spoken needlessly.
Seven - It is recommended to recite Surat Al- Kahf (chapter 18 – The Cave) during Friday. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: "Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday it will be a light for him from that Friday to the next.”
As for Sunnah prayer for Friday prayer, it was reported that Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) used to pray two Ruk’ahs after the prayer. It was also reported that Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) had commanded those who wish to pray after Friday prayer to pray four Rak’ahs.
Dear Muslims!
There are way too many mistakes being made by Muslim during Friday Prayer:
- Some Muslims don’t take Friday Prayer seriously, and they repeatedly miss the prayer without a valid excuse. Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said: "Either some people stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.
- Some Muslims come to the mosque not driven by the sincere intention to please Allah (SWT) but rather to fulfill an integral part of their weekly social routine. The proper intention is very important because Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w) said "actions are but by intentions"
- Some Muslims show their carelessness by arriving late for Friday prayer.
- Some Muslims sit in the back of the mosque before filling the front rows.
- Some Muslims talk or recite Quran loudly disturbing people around them who are praying, or reciting Quran.
- Some Muslims rush to leave the mosque immediately after end of prayer
And there are more common mistakes but the Hadiths that we have stated earlier already shed some light on some of the common mistakes and Do's and the Don’t' of Friday Prayer
