Today, let us reflect on the profound
significance of Jumu’ah (Friday), a day described by the Prophet Muhammad
(pbuh) as the best day of the week, a weekly Eid for the believers, and a
sacred opportunity to pause our worldly pursuits to reconnect with our Creator.
Allah Almighty emphasises the importance of this blessed day directly in the Holy Qur’an: “O you who have believed, when [the Call – Azaan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.” (Al-Jumu’ah 62: 10)
This verse delivers a direct command from
Allah: when the call to prayer rings out on Friday, we are instructed to set
aside our business, work, and worldly distractions to hasten toward the
remembrance of Allah.
The Blessings and Virtues of
Jummah
1. Expiation of Sins:
Attending the Friday prayer with sincerity acts as expiation for minor sins
committed between it and the previous Jumu’ah.
2.
Community Unity:
Jumu’ah gathers the community shoulder-to-shoulder, fostering unity,
brotherhood, and spiritual renewal.
3.
The Hour of Acceptance:
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) informed us that there is a special hour on Friday
during which any righteous supplication made to Allah is answered.
Jumu’ah is not merely an obligation; it is a
mercy. It brings structure to our week, recalibrates our intentions, and
reminds us that no matter how busy our schedules become, our ultimate return is
to Allah. May Allah enable us to fulfil the rights of this sacred day, grant us
sincerity in our worship, and shower His peace and blessings upon us all. Ameen.
Sunnah Acts of Friday (Jumu’ah)
Supported by Hadiths
To fully reap the immense rewards of Jumu’ah,
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) established vital Sunnah practices for us to
follow throughout the day:
1. Ritual Bath (Ghusl) &
Purification: The Prophet (pbuh) emphasised physical
cleanliness before attending the prayer. He said: “Ghusl on
Friday is compulsory for every adult, as is using the Siwak and applying
perfume if available.” (Bukhari & Muslim)
2.
Reciting Surah Al-Kahf: Reciting
Surah Al-Kahf on Friday brings spiritual light into the life of a believer. The
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) stated: “Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on the
day of Jumu’ah, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds
of the sky, shining for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven
between the two Fridays.” (Bayhaqi)
3.
Sending Abundant Blessings
(Salawaat) upon the Prophet: Friday is the most virtuous
day to send blessings upon our master (pbuh). He taught us: “Send
abundant blessings upon me on Friday and the night preceding Friday, for
whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten
times.” (Bayhaqi)
4.
Seeking the Hour of Acceptance
of Du’ah: There is a special window of time on Friday
when supplications are accepted. The Prophet (pbuh) noted: “On Friday
there is an hour when any Muslim who stands and prays and asks Allah for
something good, Allah will grant it to him.” (Bukhari)
The Rewards of Jumu’ah
1. Expiation of Sins:
Attending the Friday prayer with sincerity, listening attentively to the Khutba,
and performing these Sunnah acts serves as expiation for minor sins committed between
it and the previous Jumu’ah.
2.
Community Unity:
Jummah gathers the community shoulder-to-shoulder, fostering unity,
brotherhood, and spiritual renewal.
The Divine Obligation of
Salat ul-Jummah
Salat ul-Jummah is not a voluntary prayer, nor
is it simply Zuhr prayer in a different form. It is a distinct, obligatory
congregational prayer specifically decreed by Allah in the Qur’an: “O you who have believed, when [the Call – Azaan] is
called for the prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, proceed to the remembrance of
Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.”
(Al-Jumu’ah 62: 10)
Early Arrival:
Arriving before the Imam ascends the Mimbar ensures that the names of
the believers attending Jumu’ah are recorded by the angels who sit at the doors
of the mosque to record those who enter.
Listening Attentively to the Khutba:
The sermon is an integral part of Jumu’ah. Talking, using mobile phones, or
even telling someone else to be quiet invalidates the full reward of your
Friday prayer. The Prophet (pbuh) cautioned: “If you say to your companion
on Friday ‘Be quiet’ while the Imam is delivering the sermon, you have engaged
in idle speech.” (Bukhari)
Standing Shoulder to Shoulder:
When the prayer begins, we should align ourselves in straight rows, thus, signifying
equality, unity, and discipline among the believers.
The Consequences of Neglecting
Salat ul-Jumu’ah
Because of its high standing in Islam,
deliberately missing the Friday prayer without a valid Islamic excuse carries
severe spiritual warnings. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) warned: “People
must cease neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they
will be among the heedless.” (Muslim)
Salat ul-Jumu’ah is a weekly spiritual
sanctuary. It pauses the noise of the world, resets our moral compass, and
grants us a fresh start for the week ahead. Let us all cherish this divine gift
and commit to preserving its sanctity.
May Allah grant us the grace to perform
Salat-ul-Jumu’ah with sincerity, mindfulness, and devotion. Ameen, Summa
Ameen, Ya Rabbul Aalameen.
---Friday Sermon of 11 September 2026~29 Rabi’ul Awwal 1448 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al-Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius.