❀ Jumu‘ah Prayer ❀
Jumu‘ah: The Best Day
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“The best day upon which the sun rises is the day of Jumu‘ah. On this day, Sayyidunā Ādam (علیہ السلام) was created, on this day he was admitted into Paradise, on this day he was sent down from it (to the earth), and the Hour will be established on this day.”
(Muslim, al-Jumu‘ah, Bāb Faḍl Yawm al-Jumu‘ah, 458)
The Greatness of Jumu‘ah
Sayyidunā Abū Lubābah (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Noble Prophet ﷺ said:
“The day of Jumu‘ah is the leader of all days; it is a great day in the sight of Allah, and it is greater in the sight of Allah than Eid al-Adḥā and Eid al-Fiṭr. In it there are five special occurrences:
① On this day Allah created Sayyidunā Ādam (علیہ السلام).
② On this day Allah sent him down to the earth.
③ On this day he passed away.
④ On this day there is a special hour in which if a servant asks Allah for something, He grants it, as long as it is not for something unlawful.
⑤ On this day the Hour will be established. There is no close angel in the heavens, nor on the earth, nor wind, nor mountain, nor sea except that they fear the day of Jumu‘ah.”
(Ibn Mājah: Iqāmat al-Ṣalāh, Bāb Fī Faḍl al-Jumu‘ah: 1084 – al-Būṣayrī graded it ḥasan.)
The Obligation of Jumu‘ah
Allah Almighty says:
﴿يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلۡجُمُعَةِ فَٱسۡعَوۡا إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا ٱلۡبَيۡعَ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٞ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ﴾
“O you who have believed! When the call to prayer is proclaimed on the day of Jumu‘ah, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you if you only knew.”
(al-Jumu‘ah: 9)
Warning Against Abandoning Jumu‘ah
Sayyidunā Abū al-Ja‘d al-Ḍumrī (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever abandons three Jumu‘ahs out of negligence, Allah will seal his heart.”
(Abū Dāwūd: al-Ṣalāh, Bāb al-Tashdīd fī Tark al-Jumu‘ah, 1052; al-Tirmidhī 500 – authenticated by al-Ḥākim, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Ḥibbān, and al-Dhahabī.)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“People must stop abandoning Jumu‘ah, or else Allah will seal their hearts, and they will be from among the heedless.”
(Muslim, al-Jumu‘ah, Bāb al-Taghleez fī Tark al-Jumu‘ah, 865)
Sayyidunā Ibn Mas‘ūd (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“I wished to command a man to lead the people in prayer, then I would go and burn the houses of those who do not attend Jumu‘ah without a valid excuse.”
(Muslim, al-Masājid, Bāb Faḍl Ṣalāt al-Jamā‘ah wa Bayān al-Tashdīd fī al-Takhalluf ‘anhā, 652)
Conclusion:
Abandoning Jumu‘ah is a major sin with severe warnings against it. Apart from children, women, the sick, and travellers, Jumu‘ah prayer is obligatory upon every adult Muslim male. When the Khaṭīb ascends the pulpit and the adhān is called, engaging in trade becomes prohibited.
Virtues of Jumu‘ah
Reward for Listening to the Khuṭbah in Silence
Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh ibn ‘Amr (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever attends the Jumu‘ah prayer, listens to the sermon in silence and composure, does not step over the necks of Muslims, and does not cause harm to anyone, this will be an expiation for his sins from that Jumu‘ah to the next, plus an additional three days, for Allah has said that every good deed is rewarded tenfold.”
(Abū Dāwūd: al-Ṣalāh, Bāb al-Kalām wa al-Imām Yakhuṭub, 1113)
Great Reward for Performing Ghusl and Listening to the Khuṭbah
The Prophet of Mercy ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs a full ghusl on the day of Jumu‘ah, walks to the mosque without riding, sits close to the Imām, listens attentively to the sermon, and does not engage in idle talk, for every step he takes, he will receive the reward of fasting a year and standing in prayer during its nights.”
(al-Tirmidhī: al-Jumu‘ah, Bāb Mā Jā’a fī Faḍl al-Ghusl Yawm al-Jumu‘ah, 496; Abū Dāwūd: al-Ṭahārah, Bāb fī al-Ghusl Yawm al-Jumu‘ah, 343 – authenticated by Ibn Ḥibbān, al-Ḥākim, and al-Dhahabī.)
Preparing for Jumu‘ah: Physical Cleanliness and Humility
Sayyidunā Salmān al-Fārsī (رضی اللہ عنہ) narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs ghusl on Jumu‘ah, purifies himself as much as he can (trimming the moustache, cutting the nails, shaving the pubic hair, removing the underarm hair, etc.), applies oil or perfume from his home, and goes to the mosque without forcing his way between two people, prays whatever is written for him, and remains silent during the sermon, his sins will be forgiven from that Jumu‘ah to the next.”
(al-Bukhārī, al-Jumu‘ah, Bāb al-Duhūn lil-Jumu‘ah, 883)
