Friday Prayer
From ilmpedia
On Fridays, it has been made incumbent upon Muslims to pray in congregation at the time of zuhr prayer and in place of it. The way prescribed by the shari‘ah for this prayer is the following:
- There are two rak‘at of this prayer.
- In contrast with the zuhr prayer, the recital shall not be silent.
- The iqamah shall be said before the prayer.
- Before the prayer, the prayer-leader shall deliver two sermons to remind and urge people about various teachings of Islam. He shall deliver these sermons while standing. The prayer-leader shall sit for a short while after he ends the first sermon and then stand up to deliver the second one.
- The adhan for the prayer shall be recited when the prayer-leader reaches the place where he is to deliver the sermon.
As soon as the adhan is said, it is incumbent upon all Muslim men to leave all their involvements and come to the mosque if they have no legitimate excuse.
The sermon shall be delivered and the prayer shall be led by the rulers/leaders of the Muslims and this prayer shall be offered only at places which have been specified by them or where a representative of theirs is present to lead the prayer.
The Qur’an has mentioned this prayer in the following words:
Believers! When you are summoned to Friday prayer, hasten to the remembrance of God and cease your trading. This is best for you, if you but knew it. Then, when the prayer ends, disperse and go your ways in quest of God’s bounty. And keep remembering God a lot so that you may prosper. (62:9-10)
The Prophet (sws) has directed those who lead the prayer to shorten the sermon and prolong the prayer. He has said that it is enough for a person to be sensible if he has this trait.[1]
History of the Friday Prayer
It is evident from certain narratives that for reminding and counselling people and for the purpose of collective worship, it was this day that had in reality been fixed in the religion of the prophets.[2]
According to historians, before the advent of Muhammad (sws), Ka‘b ibn Luyi or Qusayi ibn Kilab would also assemble the people of Quraysh on this day.[3] Regarding the selection of this day, the Prophet (sws) has said that it was on this day that Adam was created and on this day was he put in the orchard and on this day was he cast out and the Day of Judgement will also be a Friday.[4]
Benefits
The Prophet (sws) is also reported to have said that there comes a time in this day in which the Almighty grants a rightful wish of a believer.[5] Consequently, he warned people that if they do not come for the Friday prayer, their hearts shall be sealed and indifference shall overcome them.[6] On the other hand, the Prophet (sws) has given glad tidings to people – who take a bath, fully cleanse themselves, are befittingly adorned and attired, try not to pierce and sit between two people, pray whatever they can at the beckoning of the Almighty and sit silently to listen to the sermon of the prayerleader – glad tidings that the Almighty will forgive the sins they have committed between the two Fridays.[7]
He has also said that on Friday, angels stand at the door of the mosques and write the names of people in order of their entry to the mosques. Consequently, those who come very early are similar to a person who has sent a camel for sacrifice, then he who sends a cow for this purpose and then he who sends a sheep for this purpose and then a hen and then an egg. Then once the prayer-leader comes to deliver his sermon, they fold their scrolls and listen to his advice and counsel.[8]
References
- ↑ Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 348-349, (no. 2009).
- ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 141, (no. 876); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 343-344, (no. 1980).
- ↑ Ibn Manzur, Lisan al-‘arab, vol. 8, 58.
- ↑ Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 343, (no. 1977)
- ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 150, (no. 935); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 342-343, (nos. 1969, 1970, 1975)
- ↑ Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 347, (no. 2002)
- ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 142, (no. 883). This refers to sins which do not relate to obligations towards one’s fellow human beings or which do not require repentance, making amends or atonement
- ↑ Al-Bukhari, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 142, (no. 881); Muslim, Al-Jami‘ al-sahih, 342, (no. 1964).
