This excerpt is taken from the book Tuhfa Jumma by Sheikh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Yusuf (Founder of Dar al-Hadith Jamia Kamalia).
الجمعة حق واجب على كل مسلم فى جماعة (Hadith)
The Obligation and Necessity of Jumu'ah:
Jumu'ah and the Friday prayer are Fard Ayn (individual obligations), the denial of which places one outside the fold of Islam because this duty is proven by definitive evidence and is a permanent obligation. It is not a replacement for the Dhuhr prayer but rather the Friday prayer is the best of prayers, and Friday is the best of days. In terms of sunrise, it is the best of days. On this day, seven hundred thousand people receive a certificate of freedom from Hellfire. The death of one who holds the correct belief is a cause for earning the reward of a martyr and delivers one from the trials of the grave. The Marfoo' (Prophetic) hadiths indicate the virtue of this day, which, besides being the best of days, is also superior to Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
Conditions for the Obligation of Jumu'ah:
According to the majority of scholars, there are three conditions for the obligation of Friday prayer.
① Muslim, ② Adult, ③ Sane
According to the Malikis, there are ten conditions for the obligation of Friday prayer.
① Muslim, ② Adult, ③ Sane, ④ Woman must be free from menstruation and postnatal bleeding, ⑤ The time of Friday must have entered, ⑥ Being awake, ⑦ Not forgetful, ⑧ Not compelled, ⑨ Availability of water or soil for ablution, ⑩ Full ability to perform Friday prayer.
Friday prayer is obligatory upon every Muslim man who is sane, adult, healthy, and resident.
Obligation is of two types: ① Fard Ayn, ② Fard Kifayah
① Fard Ayn:
A duty whose performance is mandatory and necessary upon every individual Muslim, and whoever neglects it is sinful, such as the five daily obligatory prayers. Similarly, there is the day of Friday in the whole week, on which performing the Friday prayer is Fard Ayn, which no one can perform on behalf of another.
② Fard Kifayah:
Consider it an obligation that if a few individuals in the settlement perform it, the rest are exempted, but the reward and merit will only be for those who perform this obligation, like the funeral prayer.
Before the migration, Friday prayer had already become obligatory in Makkah Mukarramah, as explicitly mentioned in Dar Qutni.
History of Friday:
① عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال أذن للنبي صلى الله عليه وسلم فى الجمعة قبل أن يهاجر فلم يستطع أن يجمع بمكة فكتب إلى مصعب بن عمير رضي الله عنه
أما بعد: فانظر إلى اليوم الذى تجهر فيه اليهود بالزبور لسبتهم فاجمعوا نساءكم وأبناءكم فإذا مال النهار عن شطره عند الزوال من الجمعة فتقربوا إلى الله بركعتين
Our master Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) says that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had already been commanded regarding Friday prayer before the migration, but establishing Friday prayer in Makkah was difficult. So, he wrote a letter to Mus'ab bin Umair (may Allah be pleased with him) saying: "See, the Jews observe Saturday, so you gather your women and children on Friday, and after midday, on Friday, pray two rak'ahs for drawing closer to Allah."
Note: The first Friday prayer was led by Mus'ab bin Umair (may Allah be pleased with him) until the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) arrived in Madinah. As'ad bin Zararah (may Allah be pleased with him) gathered the people, and Hazrat Mus'ab bin Umair (may Allah be pleased with him) was their guest, leading them in prayer, teaching them the Quran, and informing them about rulings and issues.
In the long narration of our master Hazrat Ka'b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), the following words are transmitted:
كان أسعد أول من جمع بنا فى المدينة قبل مقدم رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
"Our master Hazrat As'ad bin Zararah (may Allah be pleased with him) is the first person who led us in Friday prayer before the arrival of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in Madinah."
Reference: (Sunan Abi Dawood: 1069, Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi vol. 3, p. 177, Ibn Majah: 1072)
② According to the narration of the author Abdul Razzaq:
قال أبعث رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مصعب بن عمير إلى أهل المدينة ليقرئهم القرآن فاستأذن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أن يجمع لهم فأذن له رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent our master Mus'ab bin Umair bin Hashim to the people of Madinah as a teacher to teach them the Quran. He asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) for permission to lead Friday prayer, and he (peace be upon him) granted him permission to lead Friday prayer. Who led the first Friday prayer? The scholars of hadith have reconciled these two narrations by stating that the duties of leading the Friday prayer were performed by Hazrat Mus'ab (may Allah be pleased with him), and since Hazrat Mus'ab was a guest of Hazrat As'ad bin Zararah and stayed at his house, Hazrat As'ad was the one who invited and gathered the people, so the attribution is metaphorical towards him. Another reconciliation is that Hazrat As'ad used to lead Friday prayer in Madinah before the prophetic command was received, and Hazrat Mus'ab started Friday prayer with the permission of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is also possible that Hazrat As'ad's leadership was based on the opinion and ijtihad of the companions, and Hazrat Mus'ab's leadership occurred after the command for Friday prayer was revealed."
③ The Commander of the Faithful in Hadith, our master Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him), established the proof for the obligation and necessity of Friday prayer as follows:
باب فرض الجمعة لقول الله تعالى إذا نودي للصلاة من يوم الجمعة فاسعوا إلى ذكر الله وذروا البيع
"It is explained regarding the obligation of Friday prayer according to Allah's statement: '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.'"
Under this chapter, Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him) narrates from our master Hazrat Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that:
أنه سمع رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول نحن الآخرون السابقون يوم القيامة أنهم أوتوا الكتاب من قبلنا هذا يومهم الذى فرض عليهم فاختلفوا فيه فهدانا الله له فالناس لنا تبع اليهود غدا والنصارى بعد غد
The Imam of the Muhaddithin, our master Imam Bukhari (may Allah have mercy on him), by this chapter and the related noble verse and hadith, proved that Friday prayer is fard ayn (individual obligation), and Allama Ibn Mundhir has reported consensus on this.
From the mentioned evidences, it becomes clear that Friday prayer is fard ayn.
Mulla Ali al-Qari quoted Ibn Hummam in Mirqat al-Mafatih, from which it is clear that the obligation of Friday prayer is established by the Book, Sunnah, and consensus of the Ummah.
قال ابن الهمام الجمعة فريضة محكمة بالكتاب والسنة والإجماع وقد صرح أصحابنا بأنه فرض أحد من الظهر ويكفر جاهلها وقال فى كتاب الرحمة فى اختلاف الأمة اتفق العلماء على أن الجمعة فرض على الأعيان وغلطوا من قال هي فرض كفاية
"Friday prayer is obligatory, and it is established by the verse of the Holy Quran, numerous hadiths, and the consensus of the Ummah. Therefore, whoever denies it is a disbeliever, and whoever abandons it without excuse is a sinner. Scholars agree on this; Friday prayer is fard ayn. Whoever says it is fard kifayah is mistaken."
Reference: (Mirqat Kitab al-Salat, Chapter Friday: 285/1)
Obligation and Evidence from the Sunnah for Friday Prayer:
④ The statement of the Imam of the Universe is honorable:
لينتهين أقوام عن ودعهم الجمعات أو ليختمن الله على قلوبهم ثم ليكونن من الغافلين
"People should refrain from abandoning Friday prayer, otherwise Allah will seal their hearts, and then their condition will be among the heedless."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim Hadith: 865, Sunan Nasai Hadith: 1370, Sunan Ibn Majah Hadith: 794)
⑤ عن أبى الجعد الضمري رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من ترك ثلاث جمع تهاونا بها طبع الله على قلبه
"It is narrated from Sayyiduna Hazrat Abu Ja'd Zamri, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said: Whoever neglects three consecutive Fridays out of laziness, Allah seals his heart."
Reference: (Abu Dawood: 1052, Jami' Tirmidhi: 1571)
Note: From this Prophetic statement, it is understood that those who do not attend Friday prayer become dead in their hearts due to ignorance, negligence, and hypocrisy, just as admonition and advice have no effect on the dead, similarly is the condition of the one who abandons Friday prayer.
Narrator of the Hadith: Sayyiduna Abi al-Ja'd al-Damri, may Allah be pleased with him
There is a difference of opinion regarding the name of Sayyiduna Abi al-Ja'd رضي الله عنه. Names such as Wahb, 'Awr, and Janadah, etc., are found in the books of Seerah. Some say that his kunya itself is his real name. He is attributed to Zumrah Bakr bin Abd Manaf. There are a total of 4 narrations about him.
He was with Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها in the Battle of Jamal and attained the status of martyrdom in Jamal itself.
Ibn Abbas's Fatwa Regarding Those Who Abandon Friday Prayer:
⑥ عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما أنه سئل عن رجل يصوم النهار ويقوم الليل ولا يشهد الجماعة ولا الجمعة قال هو فى النار
"A person asked Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) about someone who fasts during the day and prays at night but neglects the congregational prayer and Friday prayer. Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said that he is a denizen of Hell."
Reference: (Al-Targhib wal-Tarhib: 512/1)
⑦ عن طارق بن شهاب رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم الجمعة حق واجب على كل مسلم فى جماعة إلا على أربعة عبد مملوك أو امرأة أو صبي أو مريض
"It is narrated from Sayyiduna Tariq bin Shahab (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Imam of the Universe, peace be upon him, said: Friday prayer is a right and obligatory upon every Muslim except for four types of people: a slave, a woman, a child, and a sick person."
Reference: (Abu Dawood: 1067, Dar Qutni, Chapter on Who is Obliged to Attend Friday Prayer)
From the above Ahadith, it is certainly clear that Friday prayer is Fard Ayn (individually obligatory) upon every Muslim except for five types of people: a slave, a woman, a minor, a child, a sick person, and a traveler. If any of them perform Friday prayer, it is better and more virtuous for them; otherwise, Friday prayer is not obligatory upon them. However, a traveler who stays in one place is obliged to attend Friday prayer; during travel, the traveler is excused.
Narrator of the Hadith: Sayyiduna Tariq bin Shahab (may Allah be pleased with him):
Sayyiduna Tariq bin Shahab رضي الله عنه's kunya is Abu Abdullah. He is from Kufa. He was present during the time of Jahiliyyah and also saw the Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, but there is no established narration of him hearing from the Prophet. He participated in 33 battles during the caliphate of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Umar رضي الله عنهما and passed away in the year 82 Hijri.
⑧ عن ابن مسعود رضى الله عنه أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم قال لقوم يتخلفون عن الجمعة لقد هممت أن أمر رجلا يصلي بالناس ثم أحرق على رجال يتخلفون عن الجمعة بيوتهم
"Sayyiduna Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas'ud رضي الله عنه says that Imam al-Huda صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: For those who lag behind from Friday prayer, indeed I intended to order someone to lead the prayer and then burn the houses of those who miss Friday prayer with fire."
Reference: (Sahih Muslim: 254, 652)
How can a house that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم intended to burn be deserving of intercession!
The above hadith also indicates the obligatory nature of Friday prayer and contains a severe warning for those who do not attend it. فاعتبروا يا أولوا الأبصار
⑨ وعن جابر رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال من كان يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر فعليه الجمعة يوم الجمعة إلا مريض أو مسافر أو امرأة أو صبي أو مملوك فمن استغنى بلهو أو تجارة استغنى الله عنه والله غني حميد
"Sayyiduna Hazrat Jabir رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, it is obligatory upon him to perform the Friday prayer on the day of Friday, except for the sick, traveler, woman, child, and slave. Whoever neglects it due to play or trade, Allah will also neglect him. And Allah is Independent, Praiseworthy."
Reference: (Dar Qutni, Chapter: Who is obliged to attend Friday prayer)
Note: Such an unfortunate person is deprived of Allah's boundless mercy and grace unless he repents.
⑩ عن عباس رضى الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من ترك ثلاث جمع متواليات فقد نبذ الإسلام وراء ظهره
"Whoever abandons three consecutive Fridays has thrown Islam behind his back."
Reference: (Narrated by Abu Ya'la in Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil with reference to Jaizah al-Ahwazi, p. 511, Hafiz Sanaullah Madani حفظه الله)
From all the above hadiths, the obligation of Jumu'ah (Friday prayer) is clear that it is a permanent duty, not Zuhr prayer, although it is performed at the time of Zuhr. It is not a replacement for Zuhr prayer, as stated by the second Caliph, Amir al-Mu'minin Sayyiduna Umar Farooq رضي الله عنه.
⑪ الجمعة ركعتان تمام غير كسر على لسان نبيكم صلى الله عليه وسلم وقد خاب من افترى
"Friday prayer is a complete two-rak'ah prayer, not shortened, as the sacred command is: The liar is unsuccessful."
Reference: (Narrated by Ahmad with reference to Al-Fiqh al-Islami, p. 261, vol. 2)
The ruling of Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) on the obligation of Jumu'ah:
⑫ سأل رجل ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما يا رجل يصوم النهار ويقوم الليل لا يشهد جماعة ولا جمعة أين هو؟ قال فى النار ثم جاء الغد فسأله عن ذلك فقال هو فى النار فاختلف إليه قريبا من شهر يسأله عن ذلك ويقول ابن عباس هو فى النار
"A man asked Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) and said that a man fasts during the day and prays at night but does not perform prayer in congregation nor does he attend Friday prayer. Where will that person be? Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) said that the person will be in Hell. The next day, the man came again and asked the same question to Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them), who again said that he is in Hell. The questioner kept asking this for about a month, and Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) kept giving the same answer that he is a denizen of Hell."
Reference: (Musannaf Abdul Razzaq Hadith 1990)
The meaning is that a person who shows aversion to congregation and Friday prayer and is lazy about them will enter Hell as punishment for this sin. And if, God forbid, one denies Friday prayer or holds it in contempt or disrespect in the heart, then this person falls into disbelief, which results in being a denizen of Hell.
Reference: (Dars Tirmidhi p.471)
It is narrated from Sayyiduna Samrah رضي الله عنه that the King of Madinah ﷺ said:
⑬أحضروا الجمعة وادنوا من الإمام فإن الرجل ليتخلف عن الجمعة حتى إنه ليتخلف عن الجنة وإنه لمن أهلها
“Come for Jumu'ah and sit close to the Imam, for a person who stays behind from Jumu'ah misses out to the extent that he misses Paradise, whereas he is deserving of Paradise.”
Reference: (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 19253)
The meaning is that some of his deeds are sufficient to make him deserving of Paradise, but due to continuously neglecting Jumu'ah, this eligibility and entitlement is lost.
