Friday is a big day for Muslims and a Blessed Day Granted to us by Allah. So what should you try to do on a Friday? Here are some examples and some merits of Fridays, taken from the book: “Etiquettes of a Muslim on Friday”
“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic); that is best for you, if you but know.”
(Surat Al-Jumaah: 62:9)
Buying and selling is prohibited once the call for Friday prayer has been made.
MERITS OF THE FRIDAY PRAYER:
Jumu’ah prayer is obligatory for Muslim brothers. Sisters are also allowed to attend Friday prayers but it is not an obligation on them, the same way it is for a brother. The obligation from attending Friday prayer is also lifted from: a slave, a biy (under the age of 10), an ill person, a traveller (from Sunan Abu Dawud). If you have the obligation upon you, make efforts to attend Jumu’ah prayer and catch the khutba.
“The five prayers and from one Friday to (the next) Friday prayer, is an expiation (of the sins committed in between them) if major sins are not committed”
[Sahih Muslim]
SUPPLICATION IS ACCEPTED ON FRIDAY:
Making supplication (dua) to Allah is highly recommended as Allah Loves when you ask of Him.
Jabir Ibn Abdullah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Friday is divided into twelve hours. Amongst them is an hour in which a Muslim does not ask anything from Allah but He Gives it to him. So seek it in the last hour after the afternoon prayer.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, classified as Sahih]
PREPARATION BEFORE ATTENDING FRIDAY PRAYER:
There are many ahadeeth that indicate that performing Ghusl on Friday is highly recommended.
Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour, ie. early) it is as if he sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s Cause); and whosoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow ; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imaam comes out (ie. starts delivering the khutbah), the angels present themselves to listen to the khutba”
[Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Oh people! When this day (Friday) comes, you should take a bath and every one of you should anoint himself with the best oil and perfume he has.”
[Sunan Abu Dawud, classified as Sahih]
In addition, the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) told us that the use of miswak and wearing your best clothes is also recommended and a rewarding act on Fridays.
When you enter the masjid for Friday prayers, you should pray two rak’ats of prayer.
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“When any one of you comes on Friday while the Imam delivers the sermon, he should observe two rak’at and should make them short.”
[Sahih Muslim]
PRAYING SUNNAH RAK’AT AFTER THE FRIDAY PRAYER:
It is Sunnah to pray four rak’ats after the Jumu’ah prayer (although some scholars say 2 rak’ats is permissible).
Abu Hurayrah (RadiyAllahu Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“When any of you prays the Friday noon prayer, he should pray four rak’ats after it.”
[Sahih Muslim]
RECITING SURAT AL-KAHF ON A FRIDAY:
There are many blessings to be gained in reading Surat Al-Kahf on Fridays.
Abu Sa’eed (RadiyAllahu Anhu) reported that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“If anyone recites Surat Al-Kahf on Friday, light will shine brightly for him until the next Friday.”
[Al-Bayhaqi and Al-Haakim, Al-Albaani: Classified as Sahih]
THE MERIT OF A MUSLIM DYING ON A FRIDAY:
Allah Blesses those Muslims who die on a Friday.
‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (RadiyAllahu Anhuma) reported that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“Any Muslim who dies on a Friday or on Thursday night, will be protected by Allah from the testing in the grave.”
[Sunan At-Tirmidhi, classified as Sahih]
THE DAY OF RESURRECTION WILL BE ON A FRIDAY:
We have been told by Allah and His Rasool (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) that the Day of Judgement will begin on a Friday. So it is appropriate that we remind ourselves to prepare for such a day, each week, especially before Friday occurs as we do not know which Friday the Day of Judgement will occur on.
The Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said:
“On that day will occur the Resurrection. There is neither any angel nearest (to Allah) nor any heaven nor the earth nor the wind, a mountain and a sea, but all of them will fear the day of Jumu’ah (Friday).”
[Sunan Ibn Majah, classified as Sahih]