Written by: Abu Abdur-Rahman Shabbir bin Noor (May Allah Preserve Him)
"من قرأ سورة الكهف فى يوم الجمعة أضاء له من النور ما بين الجمعتين"
"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, light will shine for him between the two Fridays."
[Al-Mustadrak, 368/2]
"إن من أفضل أيامكم يوم الجمعة... فأكثروا علي من الصلاة فيه"
"Among the best of your days is Friday; increase in sending Salawat upon me, as your Salawat is presented to me."
[Abu Dawood, 1047]
[Al-Bukhari, 851; Muslim, 880]
"إذا كان يوم الجمعة وقفت الملائكة على باب المسجد يكتبون الأول فالأول..."
"On Friday, angels stand at the doors of the mosques recording the names of those who arrive first, offering rewards proportional to their timing."
[Al-Bukhari, 887; Muslim, 850]
"الغسل يوم الجمعة واجب على كل محتلم"
"Performing Ghusl on Friday is obligatory for every adult."
[Al-Bukhari, 855; Muslim, 846]
[Muslim, 846]
"من اغتسل يوم الجمعة ولبس من أحسن ثيابه ومس من طيب..."
"Whoever performs Ghusl, wears clean clothes, and applies perfume (if available), his previous sins are forgiven."
[Abu Dawood]
"بسم الله توكلت على الله..."
"In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah..."
[At-Tirmidhi, 3427]
"إذا أقيمت الصلاة فلا تأتوها تسعون..."
"When the prayer begins, do not rush; walk calmly and join the prayer."
[Muslim, 602]
"اللهم افتح لي أبواب رحمتك"
"O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy."
[Muslim, 713]
[Muslim, 875]
"أحضروا الجمعة وادنوا من الإمام..."
"Attend the Jumu’ah prayer and sit close to the Imam; it brings you closer to Allah on the Day of Judgment."
[Ahmad, 5/10]
"ومن مس الحصى فقد لغا"
"Whoever plays with pebbles during the sermon has engaged in frivolity."
[Muslim, 857]
[Muslim, 881]
"اللهم إني أسألك من فضلك"
"O Allah, I ask You for Your bounty."
[Muslim, 713]
[Muslim, 852]
Conclusion:
By incorporating these 16 practices into your routine, you can fully benefit from the blessings of Friday. May Allah grant us all the ability to honor and observe this sacred day as prescribed in the Sunnah.
1. Recitation of Surah Al-Kahf
Recite Surah Al-Kahf on Friday or its preceding night. The Prophet ﷺ said:"من قرأ سورة الكهف فى يوم الجمعة أضاء له من النور ما بين الجمعتين"
"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, light will shine for him between the two Fridays."
[Al-Mustadrak, 368/2]
2. Increase Sending Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ
It is recommended to frequently send Salawat upon the Prophet ﷺ on Fridays. The Prophet ﷺ said:"إن من أفضل أيامكم يوم الجمعة... فأكثروا علي من الصلاة فيه"
"Among the best of your days is Friday; increase in sending Salawat upon me, as your Salawat is presented to me."
[Abu Dawood, 1047]
3. Specific Recitation in Fajr Prayer
The Sunnah for Friday's Fajr Prayer is to recite Surah Al-Sajdah in the first Rak‘ah and Surah Al-Insan (Ad-Dahr) in the second.[Al-Bukhari, 851; Muslim, 880]
4. Arrive Early for Jumu’ah Prayer
Arriving early for Jumu’ah prayer yields greater rewards. The Prophet ﷺ said:"إذا كان يوم الجمعة وقفت الملائكة على باب المسجد يكتبون الأول فالأول..."
"On Friday, angels stand at the doors of the mosques recording the names of those who arrive first, offering rewards proportional to their timing."
[Al-Bukhari, 887; Muslim, 850]
5. Perform Ghusl (Ritual Bath)
Ghusl is strongly recommended on Fridays. The Prophet ﷺ said:"الغسل يوم الجمعة واجب على كل محتلم"
"Performing Ghusl on Friday is obligatory for every adult."
[Al-Bukhari, 855; Muslim, 846]
6. Use Perfume and Miswak
It is recommended to use perfume and clean one’s teeth with Miswak before attending Jumu’ah.[Muslim, 846]
7. Wear Clean and Best Clothes
Dressing in clean and neat clothes for Jumu’ah reflects its significance. The Prophet ﷺ said:"من اغتسل يوم الجمعة ولبس من أحسن ثيابه ومس من طيب..."
"Whoever performs Ghusl, wears clean clothes, and applies perfume (if available), his previous sins are forgiven."
[Abu Dawood]
8. Supplicate When Leaving Home
The Prophet ﷺ used to recite this dua when leaving home:"بسم الله توكلت على الله..."
"In the name of Allah, I place my trust in Allah..."
[At-Tirmidhi, 3427]
9. Walk Calmly to the Mosque
Avoid rushing to the mosque; instead, walk calmly and respectfully. The Prophet ﷺ said:"إذا أقيمت الصلاة فلا تأتوها تسعون..."
"When the prayer begins, do not rush; walk calmly and join the prayer."
[Muslim, 602]
10. Dua When Entering the Mosque
Recite the following dua upon entering the mosque:"اللهم افتح لي أبواب رحمتك"
"O Allah, open for me the doors of Your mercy."
[Muslim, 713]
11. Pray Two Rak‘ahs Before Sitting
It is a Sunnah to perform two Rak‘ahs upon entering the mosque before sitting, even if the Imam has started the sermon.[Muslim, 875]
12. Sit Close to the Imam
Sitting close to the Imam helps one focus on the sermon and enhances understanding. The Prophet ﷺ said:"أحضروا الجمعة وادنوا من الإمام..."
"Attend the Jumu’ah prayer and sit close to the Imam; it brings you closer to Allah on the Day of Judgment."
[Ahmad, 5/10]
13. Avoid Distractions During the Sermon
Pay full attention to the sermon, avoiding distractions like playing with clothes or other items. The Prophet ﷺ said:"ومن مس الحصى فقد لغا"
"Whoever plays with pebbles during the sermon has engaged in frivolity."
[Muslim, 857]
14. Perform Four Rak‘ahs After Jumu’ah
After the Jumu’ah prayer, it is Sunnah to pray four Rak‘ahs, either all in the mosque or two in the mosque and two at home.[Muslim, 881]
15. Dua When Leaving the Mosque
Recite this dua when exiting the mosque:"اللهم إني أسألك من فضلك"
"O Allah, I ask You for Your bounty."
[Muslim, 713]
16. Make Dua in the Hour of Acceptance
There is a special hour on Friday when duas are accepted. It is most likely between Asr and Maghrib. Engage in worship, remembrance, and dua during this time.[Muslim, 852]
Conclusion:
By incorporating these 16 practices into your routine, you can fully benefit from the blessings of Friday. May Allah grant us all the ability to honor and observe this sacred day as prescribed in the Sunnah.