The Importance of The Friday Jummah Prayer

Isn't there a festive feel about the day of Jummah, Friday? There is something celebratory in the air as Muslims start their preparations for the jummah prayer early in the day, eagerly getting ready to attend the congregation. The daily routine is modified completely to make room for this blessed occasion, the jummah prayer.

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

(62:9)

“O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you if only you knew.”

Nothing can take precedence over the congregational prayer on Friday once the azaan has been called. It is incumbent upon all Muslims to simply quit whatever they are doing and get ready for this salah. 

So, let us find out what it is about the Jummah prayer that makes it so special in the lives of Muslims throughout the world. 

The Importance of Friday 

Friday is not just the last day of the work week, marking the beginning of the weekend. It has immense religious significance attached to it, with an entire chapter in the Quran, Surah Al Jummah, named after it. The word jummah literally means congregation, and so the activities of the day revolve around the jummah prayer time.

Many of the virtues attached to Friday are beautifully summed up in this hadith by the Prophet(ﷺ).

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said:

"I went out to At-Tur and met Ka'b. I said to him: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam was created, on this day he was sent down, on it, his repentance was accepted, on this day, he died, and on this day, the Hour will begin. There is no living creature on Earth that does not listen out from Friday morning until the sun rises, fearing the onset of the Hour, except the son of Adam. On (Friday) there is an hour in which, if a believer prays and asks Allah for something, He will give it to him.”

Sunan an-Nasa'i 1430, Book 14, Hadith 67

The Importance of Jummah Prayer in the Life of a Muslim

Jummah Prayer is a sacred occasion that acts as a spiritual anchor for Muslims during their busy schedules, where they make a deliberate effort to disconnect from their worldly demands and reconnect with Allah. They rush to the masjids to join the congregation in time for the khutbah. They sit in unity with their fellow brothers, paying close attention to the words of the sermon delivered by the imam.

In these peaceful moments, the masjid provides a chance for Muslims to get away from the distractions of the world. During the khutbah, the imams remind Muslims of their different duties: to their families, their communities, and to the whole society. In this way, the Jummah prayer serves not only as a spiritual activity but also as a platform for social awareness.

Narrated Abu Huraira:

The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "On every Friday, the angels take their stand at every gate of the mosque 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."

Sahi Bukhari; book 59, hadith 22

A Weekly Communal Gathering

The jummah prayer congregation is a weekly occasion for Muslims from diverse cultures and walks of life to come together in ibadah. As they assemble at the masjid, they display a vision of togetherness and complete devotion to Allah.

This weekly gathering allows Muslims to bond with their fellow believers, getting to know them personally and individually. It is during this communal gathering that they engage in collective ibadahs, collective duas and thus collective spiritual growth.

Virtues and Rewards Associated With Jummah 

As is evident by various ayats in the Quran and ahadith of the Prophet (ﷺ), there are innumerable virtues and rewards of Jummah.

• On this blessed day, there is an hour when all supplications are accepted by Allah.
  
  

• Allah forgives the sins of all those who take a bath on Friday.
  
  

• The fires of Hell are not heated up on this blessed day.
  
  

• Muslims walking to the masjid for jummah prayer will be rewarded for every step they take. 

Narrated Aws ibn Aws ath-Thaqafi:

I heard the apostle of Allah (ﷺ) say: If anyone makes (his wife) wash and he washes himself on Friday, goes out early (for Friday prayer), attends the sermon from the beginning, walking, not riding, takes his seat near the imam, listens attentively, and does not indulge in idle talk, he will get the reward of a year's fasting and praying at night for every step he takes.

Sunan Abi Dawud; Book 1, Hadith 345

Things to Do on a Friday 

There is no denying the sacred nature of Friday for Muslims. Then, could it be possible for such a blessed day to not have some special rituals and practices that should be followed? 

There is a whole routine that should be followed by Muslims on this special day. It includes

• Taking ghusl or a bath/ shower
  
  

• Putting on clean clothes
  
  

• Oiling of hair
  
  

• Cutting nails
  
  

• Reciting Surah Kahf
  
  

• Reciting lots of Durood
  
  

• Making lots of dua so we do not miss out on that blessed hour of acceptance. 
  
  

Why Is Jummah More Important Than Daily Prayers?

Although the five daily prayers are Fard and extremely important, the jummah prayer has its own unique significance. It is an occasion for the community to gather in the masjid and this creates a sense of unity and brotherhood among them. It acts as a reminder of the strength of the Ummah if they were to stand united. 

The khutbah, or sermon, delivered by the imam is something that makes the Friday congregation even more special. Through the khutbah, the Muslims are educated and guided on many religious matters. This is also one of the reasons why the Jummah is considered more important than the daily prayers. 

How is Jummah Prayer Offered?

The jummah prayer is offered in a way that is different from regular daily prayers. These special rituals start even before the prayer begins. 

Muslims should arrive at the masjid well before the time of Jamaat. There are two azaans given for this salah. After the first azaan is called, 4 raka’at of Sunnat-e-muakkida is offered. Then the second azaan is called. The imam now stands on the pulpit and delivers the khutbah with a short pause in between. During this time, Muslims should make dua as this is a moment of acceptance. The sermon then continues.

All participants of the congregation are required to stay silent and pay attention to the words of the sermon. Once the sermon is complete, two raka’at of jummah fard are offered. 

Final Thoughts

The Jummah prayer is close to the heart of all Muslims. It is a day of unity where the community gathers together to strengthen their spiritual bonds and connect with Allah. The special rituals of the day set it apart from the everyday routine that they follow throughout the week. 

Jummah offers a weekly chance for all Muslims to ask for forgiveness, make extra duas and gain extra blessings from Allah. By understanding the importance of the Jummah prayer, Muslims find the strength and wisdom to work through the challenges they face everyday. They then carry its lessons and blessings into their daily life.

Jummah offers us a chance to get closer to Allah and to align our actions with the moral compass of Islam. The importance of the Jummah prayer is a reminder that spirituality and our worldly affairs are interlinked and together they offer a roadmap for a fulfilling life in submission to the will of Allah.

Vocabulary List

Ibadah: Worship

Ayats: Verses

Fard: Compulsory

Muazin: the one who gives the azaan

Khutbah: Sermon

Dua: Supplication

Jamaat: Congregation