Importance of Friday in Islam – Virtues and Significance

Friday in Arabic is called “Yawm al-Jummah” which literally means the “day of assembly or gathering.” Even before Islam, the Arabs used to refer to Friday as “Al-Arubah,” meaning “the nice day.”

It is believed that it was Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) seventh grandfather who changed the name to “Al-Jummah.” After the sun reached its zenith, he also used to gather the tribe of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Quraysh for worship.

This practice was followed by all the generations that came and went. Allah SWT in Surah Al-Jummah of the Holy Quran declares Jummah to be a sacred day for worship. Read on to learn more about the importance of Friday in Islam and the virtues of the holiest day of the week.

Why Is Friday an Important Day in Islam?

Even though it might seem like an ordinary day, Friday is the holiest day of the week. 

Another reason why Friday is so important is that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “No Muslim dies on the day of Friday, nor the night of Friday, except Allah SWT protects him from the trial of the grave.” (Tirmidhi)

Abu Hurairah (RA), a famous Yemeni companion of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) narrated that, “The Messenger (SAW) of Allah SWT was once asked, ‘For what reason was the day called Jummah?’ He said, ‘Because on that day, the clay was shaped from which your father, Adam [AS] was made, and on that day will be the trumpet blast (on the Day of Judgement), the Resurrection and the great seizure (of the disbelievers). And in its last three hours, there is an hour when whoever supplicates Allah in it, it will be responded to.’” [Ahmad]

Why Is Jummah More Important Than Daily Prayers?

There are several events in Islamic history that mark Friday as the master of all days. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has explicitly marked Friday as the most sacred day of the week. He (PBUH) said, “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it, Adam (AS) was created. On it he was made to enter Paradise and on it, he was expelled from it.” (Muslim)

The rank of Jummah is so high that it outweighs all the virtues of the remaining seven days of the week. The Messenger of Allah SWT said, “Indeed Friday is the master of the days, the greatest of them with Allah SWT. It is greater with Allah SWT than the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr.” (Ibn Majah)

Blessings of Friday in Islam

The greatest blessing of Jummah is that the Muslims will be able to see Allah SWT – as it will be the Day of Judgment. Allah SWT in the Holy Quran says, “On that Day, some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord.” (Holy Quran, 75: 22-23)

Virtues of Friday

Gifted by Allah Almighty, Friday is a special day. The virtues of Friday are given below:

Allah SWT Has Named a Surah After Friday

Allah SWT has mentioned only two days in the Holy Quran; Friday and Saturday. The Almighty in a Surah states the importance of Friday in Islam:

“O, believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday (Jummah), then proceed to the remembrance of Allah SWT and leave off business. That is best for you if only you knew.” (Holy Quran, 62:9)

Not only this but Allah SWT has also revealed an entire Surah bearing the name of the sacred day, “Surah Al-Jummah,” which is the 62nd surah in the Quran.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) Declared It the Blessed Day

The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “Allah SWT led those who came before us astray from Friday. Saturday was for the Jews and Sunday for the Christians.” (Ibn Majah)

The Prophet (PBUH) later added, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, though the former nations were given the Scriptures before us. Then, this was their day (i.e. Friday) that was prescribed for them, but they differed about it. So Allah SWT gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) tomorrow and the Christians’ is the day after tomorrow.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Day of Judgment Will Take Place on a Friday 

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has on several occasions said that the day of resurrection will take place on a Friday: “The Last Hour will not take place except on Friday.” (Muslim)

The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT also said that the creations of Allah Almighty fear Fridays: “There is no angel who is drawn close (to Allah SWT), no heaven, no earth, no winds, no mountains, and no sea that does not fear Friday.” (Ibn Majah)

Aws ibn Aws (RA) also reported, “The Messenger of Allah SWT said, ‘Among the most excellent of your days is Friday. On it Adam (AS) was created, on it, he died, on it, the last trumpet will be blown and on it, the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings upon me on it, for your blessings will be presented to me.’”

Therefore, Muslims are advised to send as many blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as possible. Muslims should also ask for forgiveness and prepare for the Day of Judgment, as it will be a Friday when the final trumpet will be blown, the dead will be resurrected and everyone will be awarded with Heaven or punished with Hell.

Allah SWT Swears by Friday

The Allah Almighty in the Holy Quran says, “By the sky containing the constellations. And (by) a witness and one witnessed.” (Holy Quran, 85: 1 -3)

While referring to the aforementioned ayah, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “The Promised Day is the Day of Resurrection, and the one witnessed is the Day of ’Arafah, and the witness is Friday. The sun does not rise nor set upon a day that is more virtuous than it. 

In it, there is an hour in which no believing worshipper makes supplication to Allah SWT for good, except that Allah answers it for him, and he does not seek Allah’s SWT protection from evil, except that He protects him from it.” (Tirmidhi)

Moreover, Allah SWT doesn’t only swear by Friday but mentions a specific time (last hour before sunset) in which all the duas are answered. 

Allah SWT Perfected the Religion of Islam on Friday

Tariq ibn Shihab (RA) reported that “A man from the Jews came to Umar [RA] and said, ‘O Commander of the Believers if this following verse had been revealed upon us – ‘This day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favours upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion [Holy Quran, 5:3] – (then) we would have taken that day as an Eid day.’’”

This means that it was Friday on which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) delivered the last sermon and Allah SWT revealed the ayah which claimed that today the religion of Islam has been perfected for all mankind. 

• Adam’s (AS) creation took place on a Friday.
• The day of Jummah contains an hour of acceptance. (It is either the last hour after Asr or after the Friday congregation prayer ends).
• If a Muslim dies on the day of Friday, they will be exempted from the trial of the grave. 
• The Muslims in Jannah will see Allah SWT on a Friday. 
• Hell is not heated on a Friday.
• It is the day of forgiveness.

Hadith about the Importance of Jummah

Out of the seven days of the week, Friday is the most important day for Muslims. This is primarily because it was Friday when the majority of the historical Islamic events took place. It is believed that it was a Friday when the father of mankind and the first-ever human being, Adam (AS) was created by Allah SWT, and it was a Friday when he was brought down to Earth. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) has on several occasions highlighted the significance of Friday in Islam. Some hadiths are mentioned below:

“The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day of the congregation.” (Al-Bayhaqi)

“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.” (At-Tirmidhi)

“Friday consists of twelve hours, one of which is the hour where God grants supplications for believers.  This hour is sought during the last hour after Asr (the third prayer in the day).” (Abu Dawoud, Al-Nisa’i)

“The best day on which the sun rises is Friday.  It is the day Adam (AS) was created.  It is the day when Adam (AS) 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.” (Muslim)

“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.” (Muslim)

“Allah SWT has made Friday a day of celebration (Eid) for the Muslims.” (Ibn-e-Majah, vol. 2, p. 16, Hadith 1098)

What Happens on Friday in Islam?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The person who has a bath on Friday, purifies himself as far as possible, applies oil to his hair, applies perfume, leaves for the mosque, when he arrives at the mosque he does not sit down by removing anyone from his place, offers as many nafl prayers as possible when the imam delivers the khutbah he remains silent – then his sins from the previous Friday till now will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

In another event, the Messenger of Allah SWT said, “The person who has a bath on Friday and goes early to the mosque on foot, and not by a vehicle, listen to the khutbah and does not do any foolish act while it is being delivered, will get the reward of one year’s worship, one year’s fasting, and one year’s prayer for every step that he takes.” (Tirmidhi)

Therefore, on a Jummah Muslims are advised to perform the following Sunnah:

• Take a shower (Ghusl).
• Cut your nails.
• Wear clean clothes.
• Wear ittar/attar (non-alcoholic perfume).
• Send salutations upon Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• Walk to the Masjid.
• Arrive early.
• Listen to the khutbah. 
• Making dua. 

What Happens at Friday Prayer?

The Jummah prayer is obligatory for all Muslim men who aren’t travelling. It has been established from the Hadith and Quran that the Friday prayer is the most salient feature of Islam. Allah SWT in the Holy Quran says, “O you who believe! When the call for Friday prayer is made, hasten towards the remembrance of Allah Most High and leave all transactions.

This is best for you if only you know.” In this verse, remembrance refers to the Friday prayer and khutbah, whereas hasten means that one should go with great concern and care.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The Friday prayer is obligatory on him who hears the call.” (Abu Dawud) 

Muslims are advised to offer the Jummah prayer when the sun is declining or right after midday. According to Islamic history, the Sunnah that the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT would pray before offering the Friday prayer are as follows:

• Four Sunnah Ghair Muakkadah
• Next two Fardh (prayed in congregation)
• Followed by four Sunnah Muaakkadah

Sunnah Muakadah is a voluntary act of worship, meaning that even though it isn’t mandatory, skipping it makes a Muslim blameworthy. On the other hand, Ghair Muaakadah is the Rakats that were offered by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). However, he used to skip Ghair Muaakadah Rakat as well, hence there is no penalty.

The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT about praying the Jummah prayer said “If you would pray after the Friday prayer, then pray four (Rakats).” (Ibn Majah)

To help you better understand what happens at Friday prayers, here is the method of offering Namaz-e-Jumma:

1. In between the first and the second adhan, Muslims are supposed to offer 4 Rakats of Sunnah prayer. Note that this is Sunnah Muakkadah.
2. Thereafter the khutbah, 2 Rakats of Fardh Jummah congregational prayer should be offered with the imam. These Rakats should be performed with the following intention “I intend offering 2 Rakats Fardh of Friday prayer.”
3. After this one should perform 4 Rakat of Sunnah Muakkadah prayer.
4. Thereafter, another 2 Rakat of Sunnah Muakkadah should be offered. 

Duas to Read on Friday

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Whoever recites ‘The Cave’ (Chapter 18 of the Holy Quran) on Friday, God will give him a light to the next Friday.”  (Al-Bayhaqi)

Abu Sa’eed al-Khduri narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” (Narrated by al-Haakim; classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani)

Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “The one who performs 2 rakaats (units of voluntary prayer) on the eve of Jummah after the Maghrib salaah, and in each rakaat he reads Surah Faatiha (No.1) once and surah Zilzaal 15 times, Allah SWT will make easy for him the pangs of death; and Allah will protect him from the punishment of the grave; and Allah will render easy for him the crossing of the Siraat (bridge across Hell) on the Day of Judgement.” (Reference: Books of Asbahaani, Suyuti and Kanzul-ummah)

The Messenger of Allah SWT said, “Whoever recites Surah Dukhan on the night of Jummah, 70 thousand Angels ask for forgiveness of that person until the morning.” He (PBUH) also said, “The one who reads Surah Dukhan on the night of Jummah or the day of Jummah, Allah will build for him a home in Jannah.” (Tabarani, Asbahaani)

Giving Charity on Jummah Hadith

Apart from praying Salah and making dua, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has also recommended giving out Sadaqah or zakat on Friday. The Messenger (PBUH) of Allah SWT said, “Charity given during the day of Jummah is greater (in reward) than any other day.”

Importance of Friday in Islam Quotes

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “He who omits the Jummah salaah (consecutively) for three Fridays, due to negligence, Allah SWT will seal his heart.” (Tirmidhi) 

The day of Friday is viewed as an Eid festival each week. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “Indeed this (day of Friday) is a day of Eid (festival), which Allah has made for the Muslims. So whoever comes to the Friday (prayer), let him take a bath, and if he has perfume then let him put some on. And upon you (I urge to use) is the tooth stick (siwak/miswak).” (Ibn Majah)

Summary – Importance of Friday in Islam

The importance of Friday has been explicitly mentioned in Islam. Whether it was the creation of Adam (AS) or the end of the world (the Day of Judgement), it is believed that every significant event has and will take place on a Friday.

Allah SWT in the Holy Quran and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his hadith have on several occasions emphasised that Muslims should make the most out of this blessed day through prayer, repentance and giving Sadaqah.

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