Friday is a very important day for Muslims. It is more significant and more beneficial
than any other day of the week. It is
the day that Muslims gather together to pray in congregation. Directly before
the prayer they listen to a lecture designed to empower them with valuable
knowledge about God, and the religion of Islam.
It is a blessed day that has been designated as such by God, Almighty;
no other day of the week shares its virtues.
A believer’s entire life is one of worship; even
celebrations are conducted as worship.
While there is no special place or special time to worship God, there
are moments, days, or times that God has made more superior; Friday is one of
those times.
From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and
blessings of God be upon him, we learn that “The best day in the sight of God
is Friday, the day of congregation”.[1]
Congregational prayers (obligatory for men) are one of the most strongly
emphasized duties in Islam. It is a time
when Muslims come together to worship One God, and find strength and comfort by standing
shoulder to shoulder and reaffirming their faith and devotion to Him.
“O you who believe! When the call to prayer is proclaimed on
Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of God, and leave aside
business. That is best for you if you
but knew.” (Quran 62:9)
In many predominantly Muslim countries Friday is a weekly
holiday, sometimes combined with either Thursday or Saturday. However there is no mandatory closing of
businesses except during the time of the congregational prayer. In western countries many Muslims try to take
their lunch break during the time for prayer, usually in the very early
afternoon.
Prophet Muhammad told his followers that “The five daily prayers, and from one
Friday prayer till the next, serves as an expiation for whatever sins have been
committed between them, provided one does not commit any major sin.”[2]
It is important that a Muslim not neglect Friday Prayer due
to work, study, or other worldly matters.
Believers should make attending this prayer a priority since ignoring it
three times in a row, with no valid
reason, will cause a believer to stray from the straight path.
While it is only men who are obliged to attend the Friday
congregational prayer there are also many recommended acts that can be
performed by men, women or children during this day. These acts include, taking a bath and wearing
clean clothes, saying numerous supplications to God, sending blessings upon
Prophet Muhammad, and reading Chapter 18 of the Quran, which is entitled ‘The
Cave’.
Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon
him, said, “There is no day more virtuous than Friday. In it there is an hour in which no one will
pray to God except that God will hear his prayer”.[3]
"Friday consists of twelve hours, one of which is the
hour where supplications are granted for believers. This hour is sought during the last hour
after Asr (the third prayer in the day).[4]"
"Whoever recites ‘The Cave’ on Friday, God will give
him a light to the next Friday."[5]
"The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. It is the day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered the Heavenly
Gardens, the day when he was expelled from it and also the day he died. Friday is the day on which the Day of
Resurrection will take place.”[6]
Friday is also the day on which one of the greatest verses
in the Quran was revealed.
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed
My Favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” (Quran 5:3)
A story from the life of the second Caliph Omar, illustrates
the significance of Friday. A learned
person from among the Jews said to Omar Ibn Al Khattab “In the Quran you people
read a certain verse; if that verse had been revealed to us, we would have
celebrated that day annually.” Omar asked, “Which verse is that?” The man replied, “This day, I have perfected
your religion for you’. Omar then said,
“Verily I remember the day and the place where this verse was revealed. It was already a double celebration for us. Firstly it was Friday-a day of Eid
(celebration) for all Muslims and secondly, it was the day of Arafat – the most
important day of the Hajj.” Omar further stated that this verse was revealed
after Asr (afternoon prayer) while Prophet Muhammad was sitting on his camel.
Friday is a special day; the congregational prayer performed
on this day holds special significance in the life of a Muslim. This is well noted and discussed by Islamic
scholars both past and present.
Thirteenth century Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The most excellent
day of the week is Friday according to the consensus of scholars” [7] and his student Ibnul -Qayyim mentions 32
special characteristics of Friday in his book Zad Al- Ma’ad. Prophet Muhammad said “Verily, this is the
Eid day (day of celebration) that God has prescribed for the Muslims”[8]. Believers would be wise to take advantage of
the blessings God sends down to His slaves on Friday. This is a day of congregation, a day of
celebration and a day of contemplation and supplication.
Footnotes:
[1] Bayhaqi, authenticated by Sheikh Al Albani.
[2] Saheeh Muslim
[3] At Tirmidhi
[4] Abu Dawood,. An
Nasei
[5] Bayhaqi
[6] Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood, An Nasei & At Tirmidhi.
[7] Majmu’ah Fatawa
[8] Ibn
Majah, authenticated by Sh Al Albani.
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