The importance of Friday and the Jumu'ah prayer! Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchaki

Daily Bijoy News, Special Correspondent:

The best day of the week is Friday, i.e., the day of Jumu'ah. It is one of the most significant days on Earth. A distinct Surah named "Al-Jumu'ah" was revealed in the Holy Quran. The Great Lord of the Universe, Allah Ta'ala, says, 'Then when the prayer is concluded, disperse throughout the land and seek the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often so that you may succeed.' (Surah: Al-Jumu'ah, Verse: 10).

The Jumu'ah prayer or 'Friday prayer' is one of the most important prayers in Islam. The word "Jumu'ah" is Arabic. It means to gather, to assemble, to line up. Since adult believing Muslims gather at a specific time on the specific day of Friday in the same place and perform this prayer as an obligatory (Fard) replacement for the Zuhr prayer of that day in congregation, it is called the 'Jumu'ah prayer'.

Narrated from Abu Hurairah (Radiallahu Anhu), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On it, Adam was created; on it, he was admitted to Paradise; and on it, he was expelled from it.' (Sahih Muslim: 1410).

Importance of Jumu'ah Day: The importance of Jumu'ah day is immense. Allah Ta'ala perfected the creation of the universe on this day. On this day, He united Adam (A.S.) and Hawwa (A.S.) in Paradise, and because the Muslim Ummah gathers in the mosque for the weekly Eid and worship on this day, it is called Yaumul Jumu'ah or the day of Jumu'ah.

The Jumu'ah prayer was made obligatory in the first year of Hijrah. While migrating, after staying in Quba, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) reached Medina on a Friday. When the time for Zuhr arrived upon reaching the valley of the Bani Salim tribe, he performed the Jumu'ah prayer there. This was the first Jumu'ah prayer in history.

Virtues of Jumu'ah Day: In a Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (R.A.), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever takes a bath like the bath for Janabah (major impurity) on Friday and goes to the mosque in the first hour, it is as if he offered a camel in sacrifice; whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he offered a cow; whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he offered a horned ram; whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he offered a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he offered an egg. Then when the Imam comes out to ascend the pulpit for the Khutbah, the angels close their record books and sit to listen to the Khutbah.' (Bukhari: 881, Ifa 837, Modern 830).

Forgiveness of Ten Days of Sins: The sins of ten days are forgiven for those who observe the etiquette of Jumu'ah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever purifies himself properly, then comes to the mosque, sits quietly listening to the Khutbah with attention, will have his sins forgiven from this Friday to the next, plus an additional three days, making ten days in total. But whoever fiddles with pebbles or something else during the Khutbah has engaged in an idle action.' (Muslim: 857).

Sins of Ten Days Erased for Those Who Observe Etiquette: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'There are three types of people who attend the Jumu'ah prayer: (a) One type enters the mosque and engages in idle talk; they will get nothing but that idle talk. (b) The second type are those who come and pray, so Allah gives to whom He wills and withholds from whom He wills. (c) The third type are those who come, remain silent, listen to the Khutbah attentively, do not step over people's necks, do not harm anyone; for them, Allah will forgive the sins of ten days, adding three days to the seven days between the two Jumu'ahs.' (Abu Dawud: 1113).

Reward of One Year's Nafl Fasting and One Year's Tahajjud for Every Step: For the one who performs the Jumu'ah prayer observing its etiquette, for every step he takes, the reward of fasting for a whole year and praying Tahajjud all night is written.

Narrated from Awf bin Malik Al-Ashja'i (R.A.), the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'On Friday, the one who facilitates a bath (i.e., has marital relations, so his wife performs the obligatory bath) and himself performs the obligatory bath, goes to the mosque early, goes on foot (i.e., not riding), sits close to the Imam, listens to the Khutbah attentively without playing with anything; for every step he takes, he will have the reward of fasting for a year and praying at night for a year.' (Musnad Ahmad: 6954, 16218).

Atonement for Sins Committed Between Two Jumu'ahs: The Jumu'ah prayer serves as an atonement for the sins committed between two Jumu'ahs. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'The five daily prayers, one Jumu'ah to the next, and one Ramadan to the next, are expiation for the (minor) sins committed in between, provided one avoids major sins.' (Muslim: 233).

Dua Accepted on Jumu'ah Day: The most notable aspect of Jumu'ah's virtue is that there is a time on this day when if a believing servant makes a supplication, Allah the Almighty will accept it. A Hadith is narrated from Abu Hurairah (R.A.). He said, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'On Friday, there is a time when no Muslim servant asks Allah for something good but that He will grant it to him.' (Sahih Muslim: 852, Musnad Ahmad: 7151, As-Sunan Al-Kubra: 10234).

A Hadith is narrated from Hazrat Anas (R.A.). He said, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'The sought-after time on Friday is from after Asr until before sunset.' (Musnad Ibn Abi Shaibah: 5460, Tirmidhi: 489).

Important Practices Mentioned in Hadith for Jumu'ah Day: Performing Ghusl (ritual bath). Reciting Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Ad-Dahr/Al-Insan in the Fajr Fard prayer. Wearing good clothes. Using perfume. Going to the mosque early. Reciting Surah Al-Kahf. Performing at least two Rak'ahs of Sunnah prayer upon entering the mosque. Sitting close to the Imam. Listening to the Khutbah attentively. Not speaking during the Khutbah. Making abundant Dua between the two Khutbahs. Making Dua at other times, because Dua is accepted on this day. Sending abundant Salat (blessings) upon the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) throughout the day as much as possible.

It is obligatory to perform the Jumu'ah prayer in congregation, and there is no provision for performing it alone. The Quran urges to stop work and go to the mosque for prayer when the time for Jumu'ah arrives. However, if a person is unable to perform Jumu'ah due to a valid reason (e.g., a very sick person), the rule for him is to perform the Zuhr prayer. Furthermore, in some cases, even for a healthy person, such as while traveling, Jumu'ah is not obligatory, and in that case, performing the Zuhr prayer is acceptable. However, a traveler can perform Jumu'ah if he wishes.

Khutbah: The two Rak'ahs of Fard Jumu'ah prayer and the Imam's Khutbah have been made a substitute for the four Rak'ahs of Fard Zuhr prayer. One of the most important aspects of Jumu'ah is the Khutbah. In it, the Imam discusses important contemporary issues and provides guidance in the light of the Quran and Hadith. The one who delivers the Khutbah is called the Khateeb. Two Khutbahs are delivered, with a short break in between. The regular Imam of the mosque can deliver the Khutbah, or a special person may deliver it on Friday. The Khutbah is usually delivered in Arabic. However, in some places, it is customary to deliver the Khutbah in the local language.

And the Jumu'ah prayer has been made obligatory for us on Friday instead of the Zuhr prayer. This is one of Allah's great mercies for us. Evidence for this is found in the Quran and Hadith. Therefore, it is essential for us as Muslims to perform the Jumu'ah prayer. Those who turn away from the Jumu'ah prayer and keep themselves busy with other work, Allah Ta'ala turns away from them.

Punishment for Not Performing Jumu'ah Prayer: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever misses three Jumu'ahs without a valid reason and intentionally, Allah Ta'ala will seal his heart.' (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah).

In another Hadith, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'Those who abandon Jumu'ah should desist from this bad deed (i.e., perform the Jumu'ah prayer), otherwise Allah Ta'ala will seal their hearts as punishment for this sin. Then they will become heedless and subsequently be deprived of the opportunity for reform.' (Muslim).

Narrated from Hazrat Abdullah ibn Abbas (R.A.). He said, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever abandons three consecutive Jumu'ahs has thrown Islam behind his back.' (Muslim).

However, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) also said, 'Except for four categories of people, abandoning the Jumu'ah prayer is a major sin. The four categories are: a slave, a woman, a minor boy, a traveler, and a sick person.' (Abu Dawud).

May Allah Ta'ala grant us all the Tawfiq to perform the Jumu'ah prayer regularly. Allahumma Aamin, Thumma Aamin.

Writer: Eminent Islamic thinker, writer, and columnist Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchaki, Former Imam and Khateeb, Kadamtali Mazar Jame Mosque, Sylhet. Founding President, Zakiganj Upazila Conscious Citizens Forum, Sylhet.

Daily Bijoy News/ Hafiz Masum Ahmad Dudhratchaki