Significance of Namaz-e-Jumu’ah

Namaz-e-Jumu’ah, or the Friday noon prayer, is an important obligation on devout Muslims. The significance of the prayer finds a specific mention in the Holy Qur’an itself, with the believers being exhorted by Allah Almighty to proceed to the prayers and leave off all business wherever they are, once the call for prayer comes. Recently, a Muslim sought the guidance of the Messenger of our times, Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) on a related matter: Can the Namaz-e- Jumu’ah be performed in a place and situation where there are only three persons (one male and two females) and a child?  

For the benefit of our readers, the guidance issued by Hadhrat Sahib (atba) is reproduced below: 

“... [I]t is absolutely permissible to conduct Jummah prayers with 3 persons and a child. A Jamaat is formed with TWO persons, and women also are the servants of Allah and their presence in Jummah counts. 

When Allah says in Surah Jumu'ah:

"O you who believe! when the call is made for Prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off all business. That is better for you, if you only knew." (62:10)

When Allah addresses the believers (all those who believe), He verily addresses both sexes, all of them His creatures, for if they are truly believers, then they would hasten for Jumu'ah when the call is made for them on Friday, and they should leave any other business aside and make it a must to attend the Jumu'ah, which is precise in "the remembrance of Allah". 

A question: If in a country there are only two believers (and all the rest are non-believers) should they not perform Jummah? Verily, two believers makes a Jamaat and they can perform their Jummah by being two, even if it means that the two believers are man and wife, for they are both creatures of Allah and believers in His eyes.

Verily in the times of prophets of Allah, at the beginning of their mission, there are very few people who surround him, and when his message spreads in other countries, the first of believers there also are few in number, and thus the few forms a Jamaat, even if there is a man and the rest are women and children, but they should not miss their Jummah.

Do not forget that when Jihad were reserved for men in the times of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), a woman believer Hazrat  Khawla (ra) disguised herself as a man so that she can participate in Jihad. Such are the brave women believers who strive not to lose the divine favours and earn a name for themselves in the history of Islam. Women are treasures of spirituality if they are well formed in Deen matters, for they are the guardian and fortress of tomorrow's nation of believers...”