This excerpt is taken from the book Tuhfa Juma by Sheikh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Yusuf (Founder of Dar al-Hadith Jamia Kamalia).
The Noble Prophet ﷺ used to extensively mention the honored status, characteristics, and greatness of Friday. The important characteristics of Friday are as follows:
① On the day of Friday, during the Fajr prayer, the Imam of the universe ﷺ used to recite Surah As-Sajda and Surah Ad-Dahr, which is a special feature of Friday.
② It is recommended to frequently send blessings (Durood Sharif) on the day of Friday. Because the Prophet ﷺ said: أكثروا من الصلاة على يوم الجمعة وليلة الجمعة "Send abundant blessings upon me on Friday and on the night of Friday."
Since the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is the leader of all worlds and Friday is the leader of all days, the sending of blessings on this day has a special connection that cannot be found on other days.
③ Among the obligations of Islam, the most important obligation is the Friday prayer, and among Islamic gatherings, it is a very great gathering, which after the gathering on the day of Hajj, is the greatest and most significant gathering.
The noble saying of the Prophet ﷺ is: من تركها تهاونا بها طبع الله على قلبه
④ The ruling on Friday bath (Ghusl):
It is a confirmed Sunnah to perform Ghusl on the day of Friday.
⑤ Applying fragrance:
Applying fragrance on the day of Jumu'ah is a recommended practice. And that fragrance should be of a better quality than on the other days of the week.
⑥ Using the miswak:
Using the miswak on the day of Jumu'ah is among the important characteristics of Jumu'ah. (While the miswak itself holds great significance.)
⑦ Saying Takbir for the prayer:
This is also one of the important characteristics of Jumu'ah.
⑧ Every worshipper should remain engaged in prayer and recitation of the Quran:
Even until the sermon begins.
⑨ Listening to the Jumu'ah sermon in complete silence:
The correct thing is that silence is obligatory. If the listener does not maintain silence, it is as if he has committed idle talk. And whoever commits idle talk does not have Jumu'ah.
⑩ Reciting Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah:
(and reciting Surah Hud)
من قرأ سورة الكهف يوم الجمعة سطع له نور من تحت قدمه إلى عنان السماء يضيء به يوم القيامة وغفر له ما بين الجمعتين
"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah, from his feet to the sky there will be a light and illumination for him, and the sins between two Jumu'ahs will be forgiven."
Reference: (Narrated by Hakim and Bayhaqi, authentic hadith)
⑪ There is no disliked time for prayer on Friday:
According to Imam Shafi'i and his companions, there is no disliked time for prayer on Friday, and Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, also agrees with this. This is the correct position.
⑫ Sunnah recitations for Friday prayer:
Another great characteristic of Friday is that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to recite Surah Al-Jumu'ah, Al-Munafiqun, Al-A'la, and Al-Ghashiyah in the Friday prayer.
But remember, reciting parts of surahs is against the Sunnah.
⑬ The weekly Eid:
Because it is the Eid that comes every week. It is narrated in Sunan Ibn Majah from Abi Lubabah bin Abdul Mundhir, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
إن يوم الجمعة سيد الأيام وأعظمها عند الله وهو أعظم عند الله من يوم الأضحى ويوم الفطر
"The day of Friday is the leader of all days and holds great honor with Allah. It has more grandeur than sacrifice and Eid al-Fitr."
Reference: (Reported by Ibn Majah, Chapter on the Virtue of Friday)
⑭ Wearing clean clothes:
It is recommended to wear the best available clothes on Friday.
⑮ Not traveling on Friday:
Whoever has Friday prayer obligatory upon him should not travel on Friday.
⑯ Glad Tidings of Great Reward:
For every step taken towards Friday prayer, a great reward equivalent to the deeds of one year is recorded.
⑰ A Day of Atonement for Sins:
Performing Friday prayer on time, wearing clean clothes, using perfume if available, and sitting close to the Imam while listening to the sermon atones for eleven days of sins.
⑱ Every Day Except Friday, Hell is Set Ablaze:
Because it is the best of days, the acts of worship, prayers, tasbihs, and remembrances performed on this day prevent Hell from intensifying. For this reason, the sins of the believers are much fewer on Friday compared to other days.
⑲ The Hour of Acceptance on Friday:
Every prayer made to Allah during this hour is accepted.
⑳ Gathering of people in the mosque for Friday.
㉑ Friday Prayer:
A major important feature of Friday is that the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah) is held on this day: which is distinguished from all other prayers by several characteristics, such as a specific number of units (rak'ahs), the gathering on Friday, and the audible recitation. After the Asr prayer, no other prayer is emphasized as much as the Friday prayer. As is confirmed in Sunan al-Arba'ah from the narration of Abu Ja'd Zamri (may Allah be pleased with him), emphasis is established.
أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال من ترك ثلاث جمع تهاونا بها طبع الله على قلبه
"The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Whoever misses three Jumu'ahs out of laziness, Allah will seal his heart."
㉒ The Friday Sermon (Khutbah Jumu'ah):
A magnificent feature of Jumu'ah is that it includes a sermon in which praise and glorification of Allah, the Lord of Glory, is made. It includes the testimony of the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood, reminders related to the days of Allah, and it instills fear of Allah's punishment and the consequences of the Hereafter. It encourages nearness to Allah and deeds that lead to Paradise. It also warns against actions that cause Allah's displeasure and lead to entering Hell.
㉓ Time for Worship:
Jumu'ah Mubarak is the day in which it is recommended to have leisure for worship. This day holds superiority over other days due to its recommended and obligatory acts of worship. Allah Almighty has designated a special day for every nation so that on that day they can free themselves from all worldly matters and worship Allah Almighty. For the people of Islam, Friday has been made special. The virtue of Friday among the days is like the virtue of Ramadan among the months. And the moment of acceptance is like the virtue of Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadan. Therefore, whoever’s Friday is safe, their entire week will be safe, and whoever’s Ramadan is safe, their whole year will be peaceful and safe. And whoever’s Hajj is correct, their entire life will be correct and safe.
㉔ The status of Jumu'ah Mubarak among the days of the week is like the importance of Eid among the days of the year because Eid consists of prayer and sacrifice. And Friday is the day of prayer. Allah Almighty has made coming early to Jumu'ah a substitute for sacrifice. It is as if sacrifice and prayer have been combined.
㉕ Special Importance of Sadaqah:
Giving Sadaqah on Friday holds more virtue and reward compared to other days. Giving Sadaqah on Friday is like giving Sadaqah in Ramadan among all the months. (Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, used to give hidden Sadaqah on Fridays.)
㉖ The Day of Divine Meeting:
On Friday, the meeting with Allah will be granted in Paradise. On Friday, Allah, the Lord of Glory, will allow His believing servants to behold Him in Paradise. The closer one prays to the Imam during Friday prayer, the closer he will be to his Lord, and the earlier he comes for Friday prayer, the sooner he will attain the vision of his Lord.
㉗ The Witnessed Day:
Friday is the day of witness. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
The Day of Promise refers to the Day of Judgment. The Day of Witness refers to the Day of Arafah, and Friday is called the Day of Witness. There is no day better than Friday on which the sun rises or sets. On this day, there is an hour in which if a believer prays for any good from his Lord, it is surely accepted, or if he seeks refuge from any evil, he is granted protection.
㉘ The Day of Separation:
All creatures except jinn and humans are in a state of panic on Friday because the Day of Judgment will be established on this day. All worlds will be wrapped up. On this day, people will be sent to their destinations (i.e., Paradise and Hell).
عن أبى هريرة رضى الله عنه عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم: لا تطلع الشمس ولا تغرب على يوم أفضل من يوم الجمعة وما من دابة إلا وهى تفزع ليوم الجمعة إلا هذين الثقلين من الجن والإنس
Reference: (Zaad al-Ma'ad)
㉙ Friday is the day of gathering for Muslims:
For the Muslim Ummah, Allah Almighty has made this day for gathering. And He has led the People of the Book astray, as the authentic hadith narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
ما طلعت الشمس ولا غربت على يوم خير من يوم الجمعة هدانا الله له وضل الناس عنه فالناس لنا فيه تبع هو لنا ولليهود يوم السبت وللنصارى يوم الأحد
The day more virtuous than Friday on which the sun rises and sets, which Allah Almighty has guided us to, and people have gone astray from it. Similarly, these people are later because Friday is for us, Saturday is for the Jews, and Sunday is for the Christians.
㉚ The Selection of Friday by Allah Almighty:
Among the days of the week, Allah Almighty has chosen Friday for us, just as He chose Ramadan among the months of the year, Laylat al-Qadr among the nights, Makkah al-Mukarramah among the parts of the earth, and our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) among His creations.
㉛ Fasting on the Day of Friday:
Fasting on the day of Friday alone is disliked. According to some scholars, it is permissible.
It is narrated in the Sahihain from Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه that:
سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: لا يصومن أحدكم يوم الجمعة إلا أن يصوم يوما قبله أو يوما بعده
"Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that I heard the Leader of the Prophets صلى الله عليه وسلم say: None of you should fast only on Friday unless he fasts a day before or a day after it."
It is also prohibited to specifically dedicate Thursday and Friday nights for staying up in worship.
In Sahih Muslim, it is narrated from Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه:
لا تخصوا ليلة الجمعة بقيام من بين الليالي ولا تخصوا يوم الجمعة بصيام من بين سائر الأيام إلا أن يكون فى صوم يصومه أحدكم
"The Leader of the Universe صلى الله عليه وسلم said: Do not make the night of Friday a special night for prayer, nor make Friday a special day for fasting, unless one of you is already fasting and Friday comes in between."
Reference: (For detailed explanation of the above characteristics, see: Zad al-Ma'ad, Ibn Qayyim pp. 149 to 172)
