What is the special prayer on Friday?
The Friday prayer is a prayer performed by Muslims on Fridays every week after the time of Dhuhr prayer has entered.
The ruling of Friday prayer
It is obligatory for every adult Muslim, sane and resident, and not obligatory for women, the sick, children, and travelers.
How to perform Friday prayer
Friday prayer consists of two units (rak’ahs); it is recommended for the Muslim to recite after Al-Fatiha in the first unit Surah Al-Jumu’ah or Surah Al-Ala, and in the second unit Surah Al-Munafiqun or Al-Ghashiyah. If the worshipper recites something else, his prayer is still valid, and then he concludes with the tasleem after the two units.
Conditions for the validity of Friday prayer
● It should be performed at the time of Dhuhr prayer.
● The worshipper should be in a place where he resides.
● It should be performed in congregation.
● There should be two sermons before Friday prayer.
Why is Jummah prayer on Friday?
The direct reason for magnifying Friday prayer is the divine choice, and the divine designation of this prayer and its day with virtues and qualities, which are aspects of the lordship of Allah, may He be exalted, as He alone has the right to magnify what He wills of His creation and to choose the time and place. He is the one who does whatever He wills for a wisdom that He knows, glorified be He.
What time is the Jummah prayer?
Friday prayer time begins with the entrance of noon according to the majority of scholars, and as for the end of Friday prayer time, the four schools of thought agree that it ends with the end of the time of noon.
Friday and the hour of response
The scholars differed in determining that time because of the different narratives in its determination, as in some of them it is between the Imam sitting on the pulpit until the prayer is completed, as in Sahih Muslim and others. In some narratives, it is after Asr without restriction, and in some, it is the last hour before sunset, as mentioned in hadiths in Musnad and Sunan. A group of them, including Al-Shawkani, leaned towards it being the last hour before sunset, and mentioned that it is the most plausible opinion of the people of knowledge and the doctrine of the majority of the companions, followers, and leaders.
Friday Sunnahs and Etiquette
The sunnahs of Friday and its etiquettes are many, including:
1- perfuming oneself, wearing the best clothes, and performing the ritual washing
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Performing the ritual washing on the day of Friday is obligatory for every adult.”
2- Friday prayer
Allah says: “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.”
3-Going early to attend the prayer
One of the Sunnahs of Friday is to hasten to attend it, for indeed, there are angels at every door of the mosque writing down the order of arrival. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “When it is Friday, there are angels at every door of the mosque writing down the order of arrival, so when the imam sits down, they close their scrolls and come to listen to the reminder.” (Reported by Muslim)
4 – Making extra effort in making dua
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is an hour on Friday, and if a Muslim is in it and asks Allah for something good, He will grant it to him.”
5- Reciting Surah Al-Kahf
Narrated by Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.”
6- Increasing the sending of blessings upon the Prophet (peace be upon him)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Certainly, among the best of your days is Friday, so increase your sending of blessings upon me on that day, for your blessings will be presented to me.”