❀ Question:
Are the two rakʿahs prayed after the Jumuʿah prayer obligatory?
❀ Answer by: Shaykh Abdul Wakeel Nasir حفظه الله
The obligatory Jumuʿah prayer consists of two rakʿahs, which is compulsory for every person who is able to attend it.
If someone misses the Jumuʿah prayer, then he must perform four obligatory rakʿahs of Ẓuhr, as Ẓuhr becomes obligatory upon him in place of Jumuʿah.
✿ Voluntary Prayers Before the Jumuʿah Prayer
In the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, it is mentioned that one may perform as many voluntary prayers as possible before the Imam ascends the pulpit.
According to the narration of Sayyiduna Salman al-Farsi رضي الله عنه, the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever performs ghusl on Friday, purifies himself, applies perfume, then proceeds to the mosque and performs as many prayers as possible before the sermon, and remains silent during the sermon, his sins between that Friday and the next will be forgiven.”
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 883]
✿ Voluntary Prayers After the Jumuʿah Prayer
◈ It is recommended (mustaḥabb) to perform four rakʿahs of nafl after the Jumuʿah prayer, as mentioned in multiple Hadiths.
◈ If someone enters the mosque after the adhān, he may offer a brief two rakʿahs before the sermon, and then pray four nafl rakʿahs after the obligatory Jumuʿah prayer.
✔ Difference Between Obligatory and Voluntary Prayers
◈ The prayer after Jumuʿah is either sunnah or nafl, not wājib or farḍ.
◈ Therefore, stating that the two or four rakʿahs after Jumuʿah are obligatory is incorrect.
❖ Summary:
① The obligatory Jumuʿah prayer consists of two rakʿahs only.
② Performing nafl prayers before and after Jumuʿah is recommended, but not obligatory.
③ There is great reward for performing these sunnah and nafl prayers, but it is incorrect to regard them as obligatory.
