By: Islam.ru
Source: Islam.ru
Friday is the sixth day in Islamic week. The literal meaning of the Arabic word for Friday, jumu’a, is congregation. In Islam, this day is given the more importance than any other days of the week. Every Friday, the Prayer of Jumu’a is offered which is specific to this day of the week. Imams of all masjids deliver a sermon or khutbah on topics of importance every Friday.
From various ahadith, it is proven that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to consider this day a special one and he declared jumu’a to be a weekly eid or celebration for Muslims. He (peace be upon him) used to wear fine clothes, take a special bath, wear fragrance, wear kohl for this day specially.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) described the virtues of Jummah prayer in the following hadith with these words:
”When the Friday comes, at every door of the Masjid there stands Angels who write down (the names of) those who come First, then who comes next. When the Imam sits down, the records are closed and they come to listen to the reminder , i.e. the Khutba….” (Muslim 1984)
From authentic ahadith, it is known that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised Muslims to recite surah al-Kahf on Fridays to keep safe from the fitnah (tribulation) of the Dajjal (Anti-Christ).
While fasting on only Jumu’a is disliked (i.e. the singling out of Jumu’a for fasting), one may fast on Friday if it is paired with the day before or after i.e. with Thursday or with Saturday.
From history, it is can be seen that Jumu’a was the most important day for the previous nations as well. It is still considered a blessed day in many religions. Thus it seems that Friday was considered a special and important day right from the very beginning of humanity.
Narrated Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Apostle (peace be upon him) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutba.” (Bukhari,2:425, Muslim,2:582 – Book of Friday Prayer)
Imams Bukhari and Muslim also reported that Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had said, “We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning Torah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Qur’an). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus they will follow us. The Jews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday.”
It has also been reported by Imams Muslim, Abu-Dawood, Al-Nasai, and Al-Tirmizi, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best day during which the sun have 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.”
Finally Rasulallah (peace be upon him) is reported to have said, “Recite Durood upon me in abundance on the day of Jummah since they are presented to me.” (Ibn Majah)
