Significance of Jumu’ah
1. Every Muslim should make preparations for Jumu’ah (Friday) from Thursday. After the Salaatul ‘Asr of Thursday, he should make a lot of Istighfaar. He should clean his clothes and keep them ready. If he does not have any perfume in his house, then if it is possible he should try and obtain some and keep it ready so that he will not get distracted with these things on Jumu’ah. The pious people of the past have stated that the person to receive the most benefit of Jumu’ah will be that person who waits for it and who makes preparations for it from Thursday. The most unfortunate person will be he who does not even know as to when Jumu’ah will fall, so much so that he will ask the people in the morning as to which day this is. Some pious people even used to go and stay in the Jaamay’ Masjid from the night of Jumu’ah in order to make full preparations for the following day. (Ihyaa ul ‘Uloom)
2. On the day of Jumu’ah, Ghusl (Shower) is to be taken. The hair of the head and the rest of the body should be thoroughly washed. It is also very virtuous to use the Miswaak on this day.
3. After Ghusl, a person should wear the best clothing that he possesses, and if possible he should also apply some perfume. He should also clip his nails.
4. He should try and go very early to the Jaamay’ Masjid. The earlier a person goes, the more reward he will receive. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “On the day of Jumu’ah, the angels stand at the entrance of that Masjid in which Salaatul Jumu’ah (Friday Prayer) 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 (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa), 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 (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa). Once the Khutbah (Sermon in Arabic before Salaah) commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the Khutbah.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
In olden times, the roads and alleys used to be extremely busy in the mornings and at Fajr time. All the people used to go so early to the Jaamay’ Masjid and there used to be such a large crowd that it used to look like the days of Eid. Later, when this habit was given up, people began saying that this is the first Bid’ah (Innovation) in Islam. After writing this, Imam Ghazali says: “Aren’t the Muslims ashamed of themselves that the Jews and Christians go so early in the morning to their synagogues and churches on Saturdays and Sundays. Those who are businessmen go so early to the markets in order to do their buying and selling. Why don’t the Muslims do the same?”
The reality of the situation is that the Muslims have totally reduced the value of this blessed day. They do not even know what day this is, and what a high status it has. How sad it is that the day which was more valuable than Eid in the eyes of Muslims of the past, which Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) was proud of and the day which was not granted to the previous nations has become so dishonored at the hands of Muslims today and it is such a great ingratitude to the favor of Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) that the consequence of all this can be seen with our very eyes.
5. By going walking for the Salaatul Jumu’ah, one gets the reward of Sawm (Fasting) for one year for every step that he takes. (At-Tirmizi)
6. On Jumu’ah, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to recite Soorah Alif Laam Meem Sajdah (Chapter 32) and Soorah Al-Insaan (Chapter 76) in the Salaatul Fajr. These Soorahs should therefore be occasionally recited in the Salaatul Fajr on Fridays. Occasionally they should be left out so that people do not regard their recitation as Waajib (Obligatory).
7. For the Salaatul Jumu’ah, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) used to recite the following Soorahs: al-Jumu’ah and al-Munaafiqoon, or al-A’laa and al-Ghaashiyah.
8. There is a lot of reward in reciting Soorah Kahf either before the Salaatul Jumu’ah or after it. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The person who recites Soorah Kahf on Fridays, a Noor (Divine light) will appear for him from below the ‘Arsh as high as the skies. This light will help him in the darkness of the Day of Resurrection. And all the sins which he may have committed from the last Friday till this Friday will be forgiven.” (Sharh Sifrus-Sa’aadah)
The Ulamaa have written that this Hadeeth refers to minor sins because major sins are not forgiven without making Taubah (Repentance).
9. There is more reward in reciting Durood i.e. sending Salaat on the Prophet Muhammad (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam), on Fridays than on other days. It has been mentioned in the Hadeeth that Durood should be recited abundantly on Fridays.
The Virtues and Importance of Salaatul Jumu’ah
Salaatul Jumu’ah is Fardh-e-‘Ain (Mandatory). It has been established from the Quraan, Hadeeth and the Ijmaa’ (Consensus) of the Ummah. It is one of the most salient features of Islam. The person who rejects Salaatul Jumu’ah is a Kaafir (Infidel). The one who misses it without any valid excuse is a Faasiq (Sinner).
1. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) says in the Quraan:
يآَأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوۡمِ ٱلۡجُمُعَةِ فَٱسۡعَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُواْ ٱلۡبَيۡعَۚ ذَٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ (9٩)
”O you who believe! When the call for Salaah is proclaimed on Friday, hasten for the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is much better for you, if you but know.”
In this Aayah (Verse), “Remembrance” refers to the Salaatul Jumu’ah and Khutbah. “Hasten” means that one should go with great concern and care. (Al-Jumu’ah 62:9)
2. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The person who has a bath on Friday, purifies himself as far as possible, applies oil to his hair, applies perfume, leaves for the Masjid, when he arrives at the Masjid he does not sit down by removing anyone from his place, offers as many Nafl Salaah (Optional Prayer) as possible, when the Imam delivers the Khutbah he remains silent – then his sins from the previous Jumu’ah till now will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)
3. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The person who has a bath on Friday and goes early to the Masjid on foot, and not by a vehicle, listens to the Khutbah and does not do any foolish act while it is being delivered, will get the reward of one year’s Ibaadah (Worship), one year’s Sawm (Fasting), and one year’s Salaah; for every step that he takes.” (At-Tirmizi)
4. Hadhrat Ibne ’Umar and Hadhrat Abu Hurairah narrate that they heard Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) saying: “People should abstain from leaving out Salaatul Jumu’ah. If not, Allah will put a seal over their hearts whereby they will fall into severe negligence.” (Muslim)
5. Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The person who misses out three Salaatul Jumu’ah without any valid reason, Allah puts a seal over his heart.” (At-Tirmizi)
In another narration it is mentioned that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) becomes displeased with him.
6. Hadhrat Taariq bin Shihaab narrates that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The Salaatul Jumu’ah with Jamaa’ah (Congregation) is a duty which is Waajib on every Muslim with the exception of the following four persons: (i) a slave, the one who is owned by someone according to the rules laid down by the Shari’ah, (ii) a woman, (iii) an immature boy, (iv) a sick person.” (Abu Daawood)
7. Hadhrat Ibne ‘Umar narrates that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said the following in regard to those who leave out Salaatul Jumu’ah: “It is my earnest desire that I appoint someone as Imam in my place while I go and burn the homes of those who do not attend the Salaatul Jumu’ah.” (Muslim)
A similar Hadeeth has also been related with regard to leaving out Jamaa’ah (Congregation) of Fardh (Mandatory) Salaah. We have mentioned this Hadeeth previously.
8. Hadhrat Ibne Abbas narrates that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “The person who leaves out Salaatul Jumu’ah without a valid reason is written down as a hypocrite in a book that is absolutely protected from any changes and modifications.” (Mishkaat ul Masaabeeh)
In other words, he will be labelled as a hypocrite forever. However, if he repents or Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) forgives him solely out of His mercy, then this is another matter.
9. Hadhrat Jaabir narrates that Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa)’s Messenger (SallAllaho Alaihe WaSallam) said: “Salaatul Jumu’ah becomes obligatory on the person who believes in Allah and the last day, except for the sick, Musaafir (Traveler declared under Islamic Shari’ah), woman, child, and a slave. If a person occupies himself in something unnecessary, or in some transaction, Allah also turns away from him and does not worry about him and Allah is worthy of all praise.” (Mishkaat ul Masaabeeh)
In other words, Allah (Subhaanahu Wa Ta’aalaa) is not affected by anyone’s Ibaadah nor does He benefit in any way. His essence and being will remain the same irrespective of whether anyone praises Him and worships Him or not.
10. Hadhrat Ibne Abbas says that the person who leaves out several Salaatul Jumu’ah consecutively has in fact turned away from Islam. (Ash’atul Lama’aat)
11. A person asked Ibne Abbas regarding a person who passed away and while he was not joining the Salaah of Jumu’ah and Jamaa’ah of other Salaah: “What do you have to say regarding such a person?”
He replied: “That person is in Jahannam (Hell).”
This person continued asking him this question for a full month and he gave him the same reply. (Ihyaa ul ‘Uloom)
Even by merely glancing at these Ahaadeeth, one can come to the conclusion that the Shari’ah has laid great stress on Salaatul Jumu’ah and that severe warnings have been given to the one who leaves it out. Can a person who claims to be a Muslim still have the audacity of leaving out this Fardh duty? (Heavenly Ornaments)