Sunnahs of Friday (Jumu’ah): A Comprehensive Guide

 

Friday, or Yawm al-Jumu’ah, holds a central place in Islam as the most virtuous day of the week. It is a day of worship, reflection, and immense blessings. Allah has designated Jumu’ah as a day of congregation and remembrance, commanding believers to leave worldly distractions and focus on prayer.

Qur’an (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 62:9):
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.”

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described Friday as the most blessed day:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim, 854):
خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ
“The best day on which the sun rises is Friday.”

Observing the Sunnahs of Jumu’ah allows Muslims to connect deeply with Allah, enhance their spirituality, and seek forgiveness for their sins. This article explores the key Sunnahs of Friday and their significance with references from the Qur’an and Hadith.


Importance of Jumu’ah in the Qur’an and Hadith

 

Friday is highlighted in the Qur’an and Hadith as a day of congregation, prayer, and divine blessings.

The Qur’anic Command to Attend Jumu’ah

Allah emphasizes the significance of Jumu’ah in Surah Al-Jumu’ah:

Qur’an (62:9):
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.”

The Excellence of Jumu’ah in Hadith

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized Friday’s special status:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim, 854):
خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ
“The best day on which the sun rises is Friday.”

On this day, Allah created Adam (AS), admitted him to Paradise, and established the Hour (Day of Judgment). Thus, it is a day of worship, reflection, and preparation for the Hereafter.


Sunnahs of Friday

The Sunnahs of Jumu’ah

 

Performing Ghusl (Ritual Bath)

It is Sunnah to perform ghusl on Friday before attending the Jumu’ah prayer. This act symbolizes purification and readiness to engage in worship.

Hadith (Sahih Bukhari, 877):
غُسْلُ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاجِبٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُحْتَلِمٍ
“Taking a bath on Friday is obligatory upon every adult.”

This Sunnah reflects physical cleanliness and spiritual purity, aligning with the significance of the day.


Wearing Clean and Presentable Clothes

Dressing in clean, modest attire for Jumu’ah prayer is highly recommended. The Prophet (ﷺ) advised wearing one’s best clothing on this day.

Hadith (Sunan Ibn Majah, 1096):
يَحْسُنُ أَحَدُكُمْ ثِيَابَهُ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ
“Let one of you wear his best clothes on Friday.”

This Sunnah encourages Muslims to appear presentable, reflecting respect for the sanctity of the occasion.


Applying Perfume (Ittar)

The Prophet (ﷺ) would apply ittar on Fridays, and he encouraged others to do the same as a sign of cleanliness and good manners.

Hadith (Sahih Bukhari, 880):
مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ، ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجُمُعَةَ، فَصَلَّى مَا قُدِّرَ لَهُ، ثُمَّ أَنْصَتَ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ خُطْبَتِهِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي مَعَهُ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الْأُخْرَى
“Whoever purifies himself in his house, then comes to Jumu’ah, prays what is decreed for him, listens attentively until the sermon ends, and then prays with him (the Imam), will be forgiven for what is between that Jumu’ah and the next.”


Reciting Surah Al-Kahf

 

The recitation of Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays is a highly rewarding Sunnah. It serves as a light and protection from trials.

Hadith (Sunan Al-Darimi, 3470):
مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ، أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمُعَتَيْنِ
“Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah will have a light that will shine from him between two Fridays.”

This Sunnah inspires reflection on faith, trials, and Allah’s guidance.


Increasing Supplications and Sending Salawat

 

Friday is a day when supplications are especially accepted, particularly during the last hour before Maghrib.

Hadith (Sahih Bukhari, 893):
فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لَا يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ
“On Friday, there is an hour when if a Muslim happens to pray and ask Allah for something, He will grant it to him.”

Sending abundant salawat (blessings) upon the Prophet (ﷺ) is another key Sunnah of the day.

Hadith (Sunan Abu Dawood, 1047):
فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَيَّ مِنَ الصَّلَاةِ فِيهِ، فَإِنَّ صَلَاتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَيَّ
“Increase your blessings upon me on this day, for your blessings are presented to me.”


Arriving Early for Jumu’ah Prayer

 

Arriving early to the mosque for Jumu’ah prayer is greatly encouraged. The Prophet (ﷺ) compared the rewards of arriving early to offering sacrifices.

Hadith (Sahih Bukhari, 881):
مَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْأُولَى فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً
“Whoever goes in the first hour (early) to Jumu’ah, it is as if he has sacrificed a camel.”


Listening Attentively to the Khutbah

 

Attentively listening to the Jumu’ah sermon is mandatory, as it contains guidance and reminders for Muslims. Speaking during the sermon nullifies its reward.

Hadith (Sahih Muslim, 857):
إِذَا قُلْتَ لِصَاحِبِكَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ أَنْصِتْ، وَالْإِمَامُ يَخْطُبُ، فَقَدْ لَغَوْتَ
“If you say to your companion on Friday while the Imam is delivering the sermon, ‘Be quiet,’ you have engaged in idle talk.”


Performing Voluntary Prayers Before and After Jumu’ah

 

While there are no Sunnah prayers explicitly linked to Jumu’ah itself, the Prophet (ﷺ) encouraged offering voluntary prayers before and after the congregational prayer.

Hadith (Sunan Abi Dawood, 1128):
مَنْ غَسَّلَ وَاغْتَسَلَ، وَبَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ، وَدَنَا وَاسْتَمَعَ، كَانَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خَطْوَةٍ أَجْرُ صِيَامِ سَنَةٍ
“Whoever performs ghusl, goes early to Jumu’ah, and listens attentively, for every step he takes, he receives the reward of fasting and praying for an entire year.”


The Spiritual Significance of Friday

 

The Sunnahs of Jumu’ah instill a sense of discipline, gratitude, and unity among Muslims. They remind believers to prepare for the Hereafter by prioritizing worship and reflection over worldly affairs.

Forgiveness of Sins

Friday serves as an opportunity to seek Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.

Hadith (Sahih Muslim, 856):
الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ، وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ، كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ مَا لَمْ تُغْشَ الْكَبَائِرُ
“The five daily prayers, and from one Jumu’ah to the next, are an expiation for sins, so long as major sins are avoided.”


Conclusion: Sunnahs of Friday

 

Friday (Yawm al-Jumu’ah) is not only a day of obligation but also a day filled with opportunities for immense spiritual reward. By adhering to the Sunnahs of Jumu’ah, Muslims can transform this blessed day into a powerful means of earning Allah’s pleasure and forgiveness. Acts such as performing ghusl, reciting Surah Al-Kahf, attending the Jumu’ah prayer early, and increasing supplications serve as reminders of our ultimate purpose: to worship Allah and prepare for the Hereafter.

The Qur’an emphasizes the importance of prioritizing Jumu’ah:

Qur’an (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 62:10):
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.”

The Prophet (ﷺ) highlighted its blessings:

Hadith (Sahih Muslim, 856):
الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ، وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ مَا لَمْ تُغْشَ الْكَبَائِرُ
“The five daily prayers, and from one Jumu’ah to the next, are an expiation for sins, so long as major sins are avoided.”

By embracing the Sunnahs of Jumu’ah, believers enhance their spiritual growth, strengthen their connection to Allah, and secure His infinite mercy and forgiveness.


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