Among the normal seven days of a week, every religion has a specific day of religious importance, e.g. Jews consider Saturday as a symbol of sacredness, Christians have Sunday, and when it comes to us Muslims, Friday is the most significant day. It is the 6th day of the Islamic week. Our Holy Prophet (PBUH) has described its importance in the following wording:
“The best day during which the sun has risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the Day of Judgment takes place.” (Muslim)
Talking about this day, it goes in vain by not talking about the Friday congregational prayer, which doubles its value in the lives of
Muslims. This Salah is different from regular Dhuhur Namaz in a sense that it contains Friday Sermon (speech), which matches the status of this prayer with those offered at the occasions of two Eids, when Imam (One leading prayers) gives same address as on this particular day.
Due to such high rank of Friday, it serves as an opportunity for us to gain a lot of blessings of Allah Almighty. Besides, it also requires us to observe some certain obligations to be able to pay the much required homage to this specific day.
Following are some of the essential things to do on Friday for all Muslims:
1. Taking bath and purify oneself completely by observing Ghusl (grand ablution). Narrated by Abdullah bin Umar (R.A) said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah, pbuh say: ‘When one of you wants to come to Jumu’ah, let him perform Ghusl.” (Muslim)
So, the great value of Friday is evident from the above mentioned Hadith, that besides regular ablution, one also has to carry out bigger ablution while bathing.
2. Wearing clean clothes, doing miswaak (brushing teeth) and applying itr (non alcoholic scent). Abu Sa`id (R.A) described Prophet (PBUH) saying as:
“I testify that Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “The taking of bath on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim who has attained the age of puberty; and also cleaning of teeth with Siwak and using perfume, if available.” (Bukhari)
Since this day is not like any other normal days, so one has to observe complete cleanliness besides washing the whole body to develop an overall pleasant personal appearance, because disagreeable odor might cause problems in others` prayers.
3.
Walking towards the mosque, as it results in attainment of blessings on one step and forgiveness of sins on another. Abu Hurrairah (R.A) described Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) speaking as:
“He who purifies (performs Wudu’) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (mosque) for performing an obligatory Salat, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” (Muslim)
4. Reaching masjid as early as possible, especially before the Sermon.
“On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that Masjid in which Jummah salaat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the Masjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah.
Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah. “(Muslim and Bukhari)
5. Sitting as closely to Imam as possible to benefit from its lecture, since Angels too listen to it carefully.
“Because when the Imam comes out (to deliver Khutbah), the angles come to listen to the Dhikr.” (Bukhari)
6. Listening attentively to Khutba (Sermon).
“Whoever says to his friend while Imam is delivering Khutbah on Friday “keep quiet” also commit absurdity.” (Muslim and Bukhari)
7. Reciting Surah Al-Kahf on this day. Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri (R.A) narrated a Hadith as:
“Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka’bah).” (Al-Daarimi)
8 . Sending lots of blessings on Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in the form of Durood.
“Recite Durood upon me in abundance on the day of Jummah since they are presented to me.” (Ibn Majah)
9. Supplicating to Allah for His mercy constantly. Abu Hurrairah narrated Prophet (PBUH) stating as:
“On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it” – and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is. [Bukhari 893 Muslim, 852]
Since Friday has got a great standing from religious point of view and also gaining a lot of good things and compassion from the Almighty, it should be esteemed rightfully as its status demands from us.
