Friday – The Best Day of the Week

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 special day that God has singled out for blessings that are not found on any other days of the week.

 

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 exceptional. Friday is one of those times.

 

From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad we learn that “The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day of congregation.” [Authenticated by Al Albani]

 

«أفضل الأيام عند الله يوم الجمعة» صححه الألباني

 

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 re affirming their faith and devotion to Him.

 

{O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!} [Al-Jumu’a 62:9]

 

{يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّـهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ} الجمعة: 9

 

Transliteration: Ya ayyuha allatheena amanoo itha noodiya lilssalati min yawmi aljumuAAati faisAAaw ila thikri Allahi watharoo albayAAa thalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum taAAlamoona

 

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 to the next, are an expiation for whatever sins come in between, provided one does not commit any major sin.” [Saheeh Muslim]

 

«الصلوات الخمس . والجمعة إلى الجمعة . كفارات لما بينهن» رواه مسلم

 

It is important not to 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. These acts include, taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, increasing supplications made to God, sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, and reading Chapter 18 of the Quran – The Cave (Al-Kahf).

 

Prophet Muhammad said, “There is no day more virtuous than Friday…There is an hour in this day in which no one will pray to God in it except that God will accept his prayer”. [At Tirmidhi]

 

«خير يوم طلعت فيه الشمس يوم الجمعة...وفيه ساعة لا يوافقها عبد مسلم يصلي فيسأل الله فيها شيئا إلا أعطاه إياه» رواه الترمذي

 

“Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where supplications are granted for believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asr.” [Abu Dawood,. An Nasei, authenticated by Al-Albani]

 

«يوم الجمعة ثنتا عشرة يريد ساعة لا يوجد مسلم يسأل الله عز وجل شيئا إلا أتاه الله عز وجل فالتمسوها آخر ساعة بعد العصر»  رواه أبو داود والنسائي، وصححه الألباني

 

“Whoever recites The Cave on Friday, God will give him a light to the next Friday.” [Bayhaqi, authenticated by Al-Albani]

 

«من قرأ سورة الكهف في يوم الجمعة ، أضاء له من النور ما بين الجمعتين» رواه البيهقي، صححه الألباني

 

"The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. It is the day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise, the day when he was expelled from it and also the day he died. Friday is the day on which the Day of Resurrection or (Judgment) will take place.” [Saheeh Muslim, Abu Dawood, and An Nasei]

 

«خير يوم طلعت عليه الشمس ، يوم الجمعة . فيه خلق آدم . وفيه أدخل الجنة . وفيه أخرج منها . ولا تقوم الساعة إلا في يوم الجمعة» رواه مسلم وأبو داود والنسائي

 

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 Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion.} [Al-Ma’idah 5:3]

 

{ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًا} المائدة: 3

 

Transliteration: alyawma akmaltu lakum deenakum waatmamtu AAalaykum niAAmatee waradeetu lakumu alislama deenan

 

A story from the life of Caliph Omar, illustrates the significance of Friday. A learned person from among the Jews said to Omar Ibn Al Kattab “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 revealed in Friday-a day of Eid (celebration) for all Muslims and secondly, it was the day of Arafat – a day of celebration for the Hajj pilgrims.” [Al-Bukhari]

 

«قال رجل من اليهود لعمر: يا أمير المؤمنين ، لو أن علينا نزلت هذه الآية: {ٱلْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِى وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ ٱلْإِسْلَـٰمَ دِينًا}. لاتخذنا ذلك اليوم عيدا ، فقال عمر: إني لأعلم أي يوم نزلت هذه الآية ، نزلت يوم عرفة ، في يوم جمعة» رواه البخاري

 

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” [Majmu’ah Fatawa] 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 that God has prescribed for the Muslims”. [Ibn Majah, authenticated by Al Albani]

 

«إن هذا يوم عيد جعله الله للمسلمين» رواه ابن ماجه، صححه الألباني

 

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.