Photo: Collected
The best day of the week is the day of Jumu’ah. Allah the Almighty has given this day superiority over other days.
On the day of Jumu’ah, an unearthly joy of affection and warmth blossoms in the believer’s heart; the radiance of mutual cordiality, harmony and love spreads. There are some special acts of worship and deeds for this day, which are found in the life of the Prophet (pbuh). They are presented below:
1. Reciting specific surahs at Fajr: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) used to recite Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Al-Insan in the Fajr prayer on Friday. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 1068) These surahs discuss the creation of Adam (AS), the resurrection and the gathering of all on the Day of Judgement, and all these will take place on the day of Jumu’ah; so the Ummah is reminded by reciting these surahs.
2. Reciting durood abundantly: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, recite durood upon me abundantly on the day of Jumu’ah, for the durood you recite is presented before me. (Abu Dawud, Hadith: 1047)
3. Offering the Jumu’ah prayer: Among the obligatory injunctions of Islam, the Jumu’ah prayer is especially important. After the Day of Arafah, it is on this day that the largest number of people gather together. Allah the Almighty sets a seal on the hearts of those who abandon Jumu’ah out of laziness or disdain.
4. Taking a bath: Salim (RH) narrates on the authority of his father that he heard the Prophet (pbuh) say, whoever comes to the Jumu’ah prayer should come after taking a bath. (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 492)
5. Using perfume: It is better to use more perfume on this day than on other days. Abu Sa’id Khudri (RA) said he bears witness that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, if perfume is available on the day of Jumu’ah, one should use it. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 880)
6. Going to the mosque early: This deed is extremely important for gaining the virtues of the day of Jumu’ah, so one should be especially attentive to it.
7. Staying engaged in worship: Remaining engaged in prayer, zikr and recitation until the imam comes for the Jumu’ah prayer.
8. Remaining silent during the khutbah: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) said, whoever says ‘be quiet’ to his companion while the imam is delivering the khutbah on the day of Jumu’ah has done a futile thing. (Sunan Nasa’i, Hadith: 1401)
9. Reciting Surah Kahf: It is narrated from Abu Sa’id Khudri (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) said, whoever recites Surah Kahf on the day of Jumu’ah, the period between the two Jumu’ahs will be illuminated for him. (At-Targhib, Hadith: 735)
10. Reciting prescribed surahs: It is narrated from Nu’man ibn Bashir (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to recite the two surahs ‘Sabbihisma Rabbikal A’la’ and ‘Hal Ataka Hadisul Ghashiyah’ in the two Eid prayers and in the Jumu’ah prayer. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1913) Some narrations say he used to recite Surah Jumu’ah and Surah A’la.
11. Clean and fine clothing: It is narrated from Abu Dharr (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) said, whoever takes a bath well on the day of Jumu’ah, purifies himself well, puts on fine clothes and uses the perfume that Allah has provided for his family, then comes to the Jumu’ah prayer and does not behave frivolously and does not move forward by making a gap between two people, his sins of the period between one Jumu’ah and the next Jumu’ah are forgiven. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith: 1097)
12. Perfuming the mosque: Umar (RA) ordered that the mosque be perfumed at midday on the day of Jumu’ah.
13. Seeking forgiveness: On this day the rain of forgiveness of sins showers down from the Great Lord. The Prophet (pbuh) said, if a Muslim, having purified himself, walks towards the Jame mosque, then remains silent until the imam finishes the prayer, this prayer will become an expiation for his sins from one Jumu’ah to the next Jumu’ah, provided he stays away from major sins. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 23729)
14. Praying for the dead: It is narrated from Abu Qatadah (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) disliked offering prayer exactly at noon on days other than the day of Jumu’ah. He said the fire of Hell is heated on days other than the day of Jumu’ah. (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith: 1083) It is proven from this hadith that the punishment of the grave will be lifted from whoever dies on the day or night of Jumu’ah; however, it is not certain that punishment will not be given until the Day of Judgement.
15. Making dua abundantly: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (RA) that the Prophet (pbuh) said, there is certainly a moment on the day of Jumu’ah when, if a Muslim asks Allah for good, He surely grants it; and that moment is very brief. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1858) According to the majority, that time is from after Asr until the moment before Maghrib. (Abridged from Zad al-Ma’ad)
