The day of Friday in Islam carries many virtues and blessings. This was the day that Adam (pbuh) was created, the day he was placed into Paradise, the day he was sent down to the earth, and Friday was the day that he died. Friday is also a day when our supplications to Allah are answered as long as it isn’t something forbidden. This is also the day where the onset of the last hour will begin. Allah has made this day the master of all other days to the extent that it is greater to Allah than the days of Al-Fitr and Al-Adha. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has mentioned all these characteristics in the following hadiths.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah and Hudhayfah (may Allaah be pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah led those who came before us away from Friday. The Jews had Saturday, and the Christians had Sunday. Then Allaah brought us and Allaah guided us to Friday. So there is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and thus they will follow us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of the people of this world but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we will be dealt with before all others.” (Muslim)
It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah 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 Allaah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?” He said, “Allaah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets, peace be upon them.” (Abu Dawood; Classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim in his comments on Sunan Abi Dawood, 4/273; and classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 925.)
It was narrated that Abu Lubaabah ibn ‘Abd al-Mundhir said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Friday is the master of days, and the greatest of them before Allaah. It is greater before Allaah than the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr. It has five characteristics: on this day Allaah created Adam, on it He sent Adam down to the earth, on it Allaah caused Adam to die, on it there is a time when a person does not ask Allaah 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 Allaah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain and no sea that does not fear Friday.” (Narrated by Ibn Maajah; 1084; Classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, no. 2279)
In Al-Bukhari and Muslim it is mentioned that during a specific time during Friday whatever we ask Allah He will grant it to us as long as it’s not forbidden in the religion. Here is the narration of the hadith.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said while talking about the merits of Friday, “There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he (or she) is performing Salat and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he (or she) is supplicating for.” And he (pbuh) pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
One of the virtues of Friday is the Friday Prayer (Salat Al-Jumuah). This is the best prayer. It’s significance is so great that there is a whole chapter in the Quran that is named Al-Jumuah. Allah makes mention of the importance of Friday in the Quran where He says in the translation of the meaning:
“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” (Al-Jumu’ah 62:9)
This is a day where Allah the All-Merciful forgives our minor sins not just for that day but for a week and an extra three days. This is mentioned in the hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “If anyone performs Wudu’ properly, then comes to the Friday prayer, listens to the Khutbah (religious talk) attentively and keeps silent, his (minor) sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven, with the addition of three more days; but he who touches pebbles has caused an interruption. ” (Muslim)
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The five daily (prescribed) Salat, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” (Muslim)
Another Virtue of Friday is the praying the Fajr prayer in congregation on the day of Friday.
It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The best prayer before Allaah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.” (Al-Jaami 1119) Classed as Sahih by Al-Albaani.
It is also sunnah to recite Surah Al-Sajdaah in the first rakaah (prostration) and Surah Al-Insaan in the second for the fajr prayer held on the day of Friday as this was mentioned in the following hadith where Abu Hurairah narrated.
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to recite in Fajr prayer in Fridays Alif-Laam-Meem Tanzeel (Soorat al-Sajdah) in the first rak’ah and Hal ata ‘ala’l-insaan heenun min al-dahr lam yakun shay’an madhkooran (Soorat al-Insaan) in the second. (Al-Bukhaari, 851; Muslim, 880)
Another great virtue of this day is the that if a Muslim dies on the day or night of Friday, Allah will protect them from the trials of the grave.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allaah will protect him from the trial of the grave.” (At-Tirmidhi) Classed as Sahih by Al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz, p. 49, 50.
The Friday Prayer in itself has many blessings and rewards as we will see in the following hadiths that mention not only the importance of attending the jumuah prayer (for men it’s obligatory to attend, but optional for women), but the rewards and the bounty of attending it.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “He who takes a bath on Friday, like the bath for ceremonial purity, and then goes (to the mosque), he is like one who offers a camel as a sacrifice to seek the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the second hour is like one who offers a cow to win the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the third hour is like one who offers a ram with horns (in sacrifice); and he who comes at the fourth hour is like one who offers a hen; and he who comes at the fifth hour is like one who offers an egg. And when the Imam ascends the pulpit, the angels (who write the names of those who come to the mosque before the coming of the Imam) close (their record) in order to listen to the Khutbah.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Aus bin Aus (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Among the best of your days is Friday. On that day pray to Allah to exalt my mention frequently, for your such supplications are presented to me.” (Abu Dawud)
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him)reported: The Prophet (PBUH) said, “The five daily (prescribed) Salat, and Friday (prayer) to the next Friday (prayer), and the fasting of Ramadan to the next Ramadan, is expiation of the sins committed in between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” (Muslim)
Allah says in the translation of the meaning: “Then when the (Jumu`ah) Salat is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much: that you may be successful.” (Al-Jumuah 62:10)
The attendance to the Friday Prayer is also written down by angels who stand at every gate of the mosque to write down the names of people in chronological order of their attendance.
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “On every Friday the angels take heir stand at every gate of the mosques to write the names of the people chronologically (i.e. according to the time of their arrival for the Friday prayer and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon.” (Al-Bukhari)
How would anyone want to miss the Friday Prayer knowing that the angels company is there among us and sit and prepare themselves to listen to the Imam’s sermon. Subhanallah, the angels are part of the unseen world, but knowing that they are in our presence is such a beautiful illustration. How could anyone put their personal desires above acts of remembrance of Allah and not attend the Friday Prayer. There is a hadith that mentions what happens to those who become unmindful of this day and what may happen due to their negligence.
Ibn `Umar and Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: We heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying (while delivering Khutbah on his wooden pulpit), “Either some people (i.e., hypocrites) stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.” (Muslim)
These are just several characteristics, virtues, and blessings of the best day of the week. The day of Friday. Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) have told us what a great day this is for all of mankind. A day that is filled with the Mercy of Allah and rewards that will be heavy on our scales inshallah on the Day of Judgement. Inshallah the brothers of our nation also see the significance of attending the Jumuah (Friday) Prayer and will strive to have a perfect attendance, and for the Muslim sisters, although this day isn’t an obligation for us, it’s still a blessing for us to attend the Friday Prayer if possible.
Allah has perfected our way of life and although many indulge in sins and personal pleasures during this day, as Muslims we know the true meaning and importance of Friday. Allah has not only given us the information but He has given us the motivation to spend this beautiful day wisely so we may compete with one another to attain good deeds for His sake.
Jumuah Mubarak!!! (Happy Friday!!!)
May Allah keep us guided and on the straight path, and purify our intentions to make it soley for His sake, and give us the understanding in Islam that we may see its richness and its iron strong foundation so that we may never go astray.
(If I am right it is from Allah (swt). If I have wrote anything wrong it is from me, and I am wrong. I ask Allah for His forgiveness, and mercy. Ameen)
Umme Safoora
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