❀ Ruling on the Number of Voluntary Prayers Before Jumu‘ah ❀
Written by: Imran Ayyub Lahori
❖ Unlimited Voluntary Prayers May Be Offered Before Jumu‘ah
It is narrated from Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever takes a bath on the day of Jumu‘ah, then comes for the prayer, and offers as much prayer as is destined for him (فَصَلَّىٰ مَا قُدِّرَ لَهُ), then sits silently until the Imām finishes the sermon and prays with the Imām, all the sins committed between this and the previous Jumu‘ah will be forgiven, plus three more days.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 857, Book of Jumu‘ah: Chapter on the Virtue of Listening and Remaining Silent During the Khutbah]
❖ Scholarly Commentary:
◈ Imām al-Shawkānī (رحمه الله)
From the phrase “فَصَلَّىٰ مَا قُدِّرَ لَهُ“, it is understood that no specific limit has been fixed for the voluntary prayers before Jumu‘ah.
[Nayl al-Awṭār: 2/649]
◈ Amīr al-Ṣan‘ānī (رحمه الله)
One who comes for the Jumu‘ah prayer should pray as many nawāfil as he can, because the Prophet ﷺ did not specify any restriction in this regard.
[Subul al-Salām: 2/649]
✔ Therefore, voluntary (nafl) prayers before Jumu‘ah are not limited to a specific number.
✔ A person may offer as many as he is able before the khutbah begins.
✔ These acts are from the virtues and opportunities for reward on the day of Jumu‘ah.
هٰذَا مَا عِندِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
