The Sunnah Practices and Guidelines for the Friday Prayer in Islam

Written by: Abu Abdur Rahman Shabbir bin Noor (Hafizahullah)

The Sermon and Prayer on Friday​

The Friday sermon should always be delivered from a pulpit (minbar). Initially, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to lean against the trunk of a date palm tree while delivering the sermon. Later, a pulpit was built for him, which has since become the established tradition of the Muslim Ummah.

The Transition to the Pulpit​

Narrated by Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنهما):

"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to deliver sermons by leaning against a date palm trunk. When the pulpit was made, he moved to it, and the trunk began to cry. The Prophet (ﷺ) came to it and placed his hand over it."

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Virtues of the Prophet, Hadith 3390)

Structure of the Pulpit​

The pulpit should have at least three steps:

Narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه):

"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to lean against a wooden trunk in the mosque while delivering the sermon. A Roman carpenter offered to build a pulpit for him, saying, ‘Shall I not make something for you to sit on while appearing to stand?’ The carpenter then built a pulpit with two steps, and the Prophet (ﷺ) sat on the third. When the Prophet (ﷺ) sat on the pulpit for the first time, the trunk made a sound like a crying bull, and the mosque reverberated with its cry. The Prophet (ﷺ) descended, embraced it, and it calmed down. He said, ‘By Him in whose hand is my soul, if I had not embraced it, it would have cried until the Day of Judgment.’"

(Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, Hadith 1777; Sahih al-Darimi, Vol. 1, Hadith 42)

Graded Hasan by Shaykh Albani.

Placement of the Pulpit​

• The pulpit of the Prophet (ﷺ) was wooden, with three steps.
• It was positioned slightly away from the mosque wall, leaving enough space for a goat to pass through.

Narrated by Salamah bin Al-Akwa’ (رضي الله عنه):

"The distance between the Prophet’s pulpit and the wall was enough for a goat to pass."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1082)

Graded Sahih.

Greeting upon Ascending the Pulpit​

The Imam should greet the congregation after climbing the pulpit:

Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):

"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to greet the congregation when he ascended the pulpit."

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Establishing Prayer, Hadith 1109)

Graded Hasan.

Call to Prayer (Adhan)​

The call to prayer for Friday should be made after the Imam sits on the pulpit:

Narrated by As-Sa’ib bin Yazid (رضي الله عنه):

"During the Prophet’s time, and in the time of Abu Bakr and Umar (رضي الله عنهما), the call to prayer on Friday used to be made when the Imam sat on the pulpit."

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 870)

"The call to prayer was made directly in front of the mosque door when the Prophet (ﷺ) sat on the pulpit."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1088)

Format of the Sermon​

1. The sermon consists of two parts with a brief pause in between.
2. The Imam should remain seated in silence during this pause.

Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (رضي الله عنهما):

"The Prophet (ﷺ) used to deliver two sermons. He would sit between them without speaking, then stand to deliver the second sermon."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1092; Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 886; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 861)

Graded Sahih by Shaykh Albani.

Standing During the Sermon​

Delivering the sermon while standing is a Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ):

Narrated by Jabir bin Samurah (رضي الله عنه):

"The Prophet (ﷺ) always delivered the sermon standing. Whoever tells you he did it sitting is lying. I prayed with him more than two thousand times."

(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 862)

Holding a Staff or Bow​

The Imam should hold a staff or bow during the sermon:

Narrated by Al-Hakam bin Hazn Al-Kulafi:

"We stayed in Madinah for several days, during which we attended Friday prayers with the Prophet (ﷺ). He delivered the sermon leaning on a staff or bow."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1094)

Graded Hasan.

Tone and Style of the Sermon​

The sermon should be intense, warning, and admonishing rather than casual storytelling:

Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):

"When the Prophet (ﷺ) delivered a sermon, his eyes would turn red, his voice would become loud, and his anger would intensify as if he were warning an army."

(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 867; Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 1577)

Beginning the Sermon​

The sermon must begin with praise of Allah, the testimony of faith, and blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ):

"All praise belongs to Allah. We seek His help and forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Him from the evil of our souls and from the consequences of our bad deeds. Whoever Allah guides, no one can mislead, and whoever He leads astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Nikah, Hadith 2118)

Conciseness of the Sermon​

The Prophet (ﷺ) emphasized brevity in sermons while keeping prayers long:

Narrated by Ammar (رضي الله عنه):

"The length of a person’s prayer and the brevity of his sermon is a sign of his understanding. Therefore, prolong the prayer and shorten the sermon."

(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 869)

Actions During the Friday Sermon Based on Authentic Hadiths​

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) demonstrated a dynamic and flexible approach during the Friday sermon, addressing issues, answering questions, or even pausing the sermon when necessary. Below are notable examples and guidelines derived from authentic Hadiths.

Addressing Immediate Needs During the Sermon​

1. Permitting Prayer During the Sermon
   Narrated by Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
   "A man entered the mosque while the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering the Friday sermon. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked, ‘Have you prayed?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Stand and pray two units.’"
   (Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 875)

Descending the Pulpit When Necessary​

1. Teaching a Visitor About Islam
   
   Narrated by Abu Rifa’ah (رضي الله عنه):
   "While the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon, I interrupted, saying, ‘O Messenger of Allah, I am a stranger seeking knowledge about Islam.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) left the sermon, approached me, and sat on a chair to teach me about Islam. Once he had finished, he resumed his sermon."
   (Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 876)
2. Attending to Children
   
   Narrated by Buraidah (رضي الله عنه):
   "While the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon, Hasan and Husain (رضي الله عنهما) entered, wearing red garments and stumbling as they walked. The Prophet (ﷺ) descended from the pulpit, picked them up, and ascended back with them. He said, ‘Indeed, Allah has spoken the truth:
   ‘Your wealth and your children are a trial.’
   [Surah At-Taghabun: 15]
   I could not bear to see them stumble.’ He then resumed the sermon."
   (Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1109)
   Graded Sahih by Shaykh Albani.

Correcting Improper Behavior​

1. Stopping Disruption
   Narrated by Abdullah bin Busr (رضي الله عنه):
   "A man crossed over people’s shoulders to reach the front while the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Sit down; you have annoyed the people.’"
   (Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 1118; Sunan an-Nasa’i, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 1398)
   Graded Hasan.

Practical Actions During Sermons​

1. Praying for Rain
   Narrated by Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه):
   "During a Friday sermon, a man stood and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our wealth has perished, and the roads are blocked. Pray to Allah to send rain.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) raised his hands and prayed, ‘O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain. O Allah, send us rain.’
   By Allah, there were no clouds in the sky. Suddenly, a cloud appeared from behind Mount Sal’a, spread, and it rained for a week until the next Friday.
   Then, during the following sermon, another man stood and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, our wealth has been destroyed, and the roads are cut off. Pray to Allah to withhold the rain.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) raised his hands and prayed, ‘O Allah, let it rain around us, not on us. Let it rain on the hills, valleys, and forests.’ The rain stopped, and we walked out in the sunlight."
   (Sahih Muslim, Book of Salah, Hadith 897)

Encouraging Charity​

1. Appealing for Charity
   Narrated by Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه):
   "A poorly dressed man entered while the Prophet (ﷺ) was delivering the sermon. The Prophet (ﷺ) asked him, ‘Have you prayed?’ He replied, ‘No.’ The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘Pray two units.’ Then, he urged the people to give in charity, and they brought clothes. The Prophet (ﷺ) gave him two garments.
   The following Friday, the man came wearing one of the garments and offered the other in charity. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, ‘This man came in a poor state, so I encouraged charity, and you all gave. Now he has given one of the garments he received. Keep your garment.’"
   (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 1407)
   Graded Hasan.

Other Practices and Instructions During the Sermon​

1. Directing Attention with Gestures
   
   Narrated by Amarah bin Ru’aybah (رضي الله عنه):
   "He saw Bishr bin Marwan raising both hands while on the pulpit. He said, ‘May Allah disfigure these hands! I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) only pointing with one finger during sermons.’"
   (Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 874)
2. Dua for the BelieversThe Prophet (ﷺ) frequently supplicated for forgiveness for the believers during sermons:
   
   "O Allah, forgive me and my Ummah. O Allah, forgive me and my Ummah. I seek forgiveness for myself and for you."
   (Reported in multiple sources with a Hasan chain.)

Post-Sermon Actions​

1. Speaking Before Salah
   
   Narrated by Anas bin Malik (رضي الله عنه):
   "After the call to prayer was given, the Prophet (ﷺ) would sometimes converse with a person standing between him and the Qiblah, prolonging the conversation such that some of us would start dozing off due to his extended standing."
   (Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Book of Salah, Hadith 518)
   Graded Hasan Sahih.
2. Maintaining Order in Rows

Narrated by Nu’man bin Bashir (رضي الله عنه):
"The Prophet (ﷺ) turned to us and said, ‘Straighten your rows,’ three times. He then said, ‘By Allah, either you straighten your rows, or Allah will cause discord among you.’ I saw each person joining shoulder to shoulder, knee to knee, and ankle to ankle with his neighbor."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 662; Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 685; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 436)

The Two Units of Friday Prayer: A Detailed Overview Based on Authentic Hadiths​

The Friday prayer consists of two units (rak’ahs), which is a complete and unabridged act of worship in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Below are details and the Prophetic practices regarding the recitation during Friday prayers.

The Number of Units in Friday Prayer​

1. The Prayer is Two Units
   
   Narrated by Umar bin Khattab (رضي الله عنه):
   "The Duha prayer is two units, the Eid prayer is two units, the travel prayer is two units, and the Friday prayer is two units. These are complete and not shortened, as stated by the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ)."
   (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 1419; Sunan Ibn Majah, Book of Salah, Hadith 1063, 1064)
   Graded Sahih by Shaykh Albani.
   This narration establishes that the Friday prayer is a complete form of worship consisting of two units, in line with the other specific prayers mentioned.

Recitation During Friday Prayer​

Surah Al-Jumu’ah and Surah Al-Munafiqun

Narrated by Ubaydullah bin Abi Rafi’ (رضي الله عنه):
"Marwan appointed Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) as governor of Madinah while he traveled to Makkah. Abu Huraira led us in the Friday prayer and recited Surah Al-Jumu’ah in the first unit and Surah Al-Munafiqun in the second. After the prayer, I approached him and said, 'You recited two Surahs that Ali bin Abi Talib used to recite in Kufa.' Abu Huraira replied, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recite these two Surahs on Friday.'"

(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 877)

Key Practice:

In the Friday prayer, it is Sunnah to recite Surah Al-Jumu’ah in the first unit and Surah Al-Munafiqun in the second.
Surah Al-A’la and Surah Al-Ghashiyah

Narrated by Samurah bin Jundub (رضي الله عنه):
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) used to recite ‘Sabbihisma Rabbikal A’la’ (Surah Al-A’la) in the first unit and ‘Hal Ataka Hadith Al-Ghashiyah’ (Surah Al-Ghashiyah) in the second during the Friday prayer."

(Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1125; Sunan an-Nasa’i, Book of Jumu’ah)
Graded Sahih.

Alternate Practice:
Recitation of Surah Al-A’la in the first unit and Surah Al-Ghashiyah in the second is also established as a Sunnah.

Surah Al-Ghashiyah as a Substitute for Surah Al-Munafiqun

Narrated by Al-Dhahhak bin Qais:

"He wrote to Al-Nu’man bin Bashir (رضي الله عنه), asking, 'What did the Prophet (ﷺ) recite on Friday apart from Surah Al-Jumu’ah?' He replied, 'He used to recite ‘Hal Ataka’ (Surah Al-Ghashiyah).'"

(Sahih Muslim, Book of Jumu’ah, Hadith 878; Sunan Abi Dawood, Book of Salah, Hadith 1123)
Key Point:
The Prophet (ﷺ) would sometimes recite Surah Al-Ghashiyah in place of Surah Al-Munafiqun during the second unit.

Summary of Sunnah Recitations for Friday Prayer​

• Primary Sunnah:
  
  • First Unit: Surah Al-Jumu’ah
  • Second Unit: Surah Al-Munafiqun
• Alternate Sunnah:
  
  • First Unit: Surah Al-A’la
  • Second Unit: Surah Al-Ghashiyah

This practice demonstrates the Prophet’s (ﷺ) emphasis on meaningful and thematic recitation during the Friday prayer, linking the content of the Surahs with the objectives of the sermon and congregational worship.