Friday - Understanding It's Importance

FRIDAY IS THE MOST SUPERIOR DAY OF THE WEEK

Friday is the best day of the week.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the Day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning the Taurat 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." (Bukhari & Muslim)


The Prophet Muhammad SAW also said:

"The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the day Adam (AS) was created. It is the day when Adam (AS) entered Paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the Day of Judgement takes place." (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Nasa'i & Tirmidhi)


PARTICIPATION IN FRIDAY PRAYERS IS AN ORDER FROM ALLAH SWT

The menfolk among Muslims are obligated to participate in Friday Prayer also known as Jumu'ah.

Allah SWT ordains in the Qur'an:

"O, you who Believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah: Ayat 9)


WARNINGS FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT ATTEND FRIDAY PRAYERS

Severe warnings have been given to those who do not attend Friday Prayer.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW described about those people who do not attend Friday Prayers:

"I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us." (Muslim & Ahmad)

The Prophet Muhammad SAW also said:

"Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they cannot find the right path again." (Muslim, Ahmad and Nasa'i)

Further on, the Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Whoever does not attend three Friday prayers (without a valid excuse), Allah will set a seal on his heart." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i & Ibn Majah)


INCREASING SUPPLICATIONS ON FRIDAY

On Fridays, we are recommended to increase our supplications (Du'as) especially at the last hour of the day since it is the hour when requests are replied by Allah SWT.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim Believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asar." (Nasa'i, Abu Dawud & Hakim)


INCREASING SALAWAT TO THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD SAW ON FRIDAY

We are encouraged to to wish peace and make Salawat to the Prophet Muhammad SAW during Fridays and Friday's night.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW advised to his Companions RA, for us too to take heed:

"The best day is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, and (also on Friday, Adam) died. On Friday is the first time the trumpet is blown (meaning when every creature dies) and the second time the trumpet is blown (referring to Resurrection). So increase the number of times you wish peace upon me since this prayer will be shown to me."

They (the Sahabah RA) asked him:

"How will our prayers be shown to you after you have vanished?"

He (the Prophet Muhammad SAW) replied:

"Allah has prohibited earth to cause the body of Prophets to decay."

(Abu Dawud, Nasa'i, Ibn Majah)


THE VIRTUES OF RECITING SURAH AL-KAHF ON FRIDAYS

Muslims are encouraged to recite Surah Al-Kahf every Friday.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday." (Baihaqi & Hakim)


TO CLEAN, WASH & SCENT OURSELVES FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS

It is recommended that Muslims clean and wash themselves and make sure they smell nice when they attend Friday Prayers.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"Every Muslim is obligated to wash on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any." (Bukhari & Muslim)


THE VIRTUES OF COMING EARLY FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said:

"If one washes himself and then proceed to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake of Allah. However, if he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow; and if in the third hour then it is as if he donated a big sheep; and if in the fourth hour then it is as if he donated a chicken; and if in the fifth hour then it is as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech the angels come and listen to it." (Narrated by all of the Major Hadith Collectors except for Imam Ibn Majah)


THE ANGELS RECORDING THE CHRONOLOGY OF THOSE WHO COME FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the masjid. The Angels record who comes first. When the Imam starts delivering the speech, the Angels close their files and come to listen to the speech." (Abu Dawud)


IT IS FORBIDDEN TO INDULGE IN WORK / BUSINESS AFTER THE CALL OF THE ADHAAN FOR FRIDAY PRAYERS

This command is the order of Allah SWT, as exhorted in the Qur'an:

"When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah: Ayat 9)


IT IS HARAAM TO TALK DURING THE KHUTBAH

This ruling has been covered by many sayings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"If you told your friend to pay attention on Friday while the Imam is delivering the speech then you committed a sin of vain talk." (Narrated by all of the Major Hadith Collectors except for Imam Ibn Majah)


The Prophet Muhammad SAW severely reprimanded:

"Even who touches the gravel on the floor - then he committed vain talk, and he who does commit that there will be no (Jumuah) Friday for him." (Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah)


THE OFFENSE OF WALKING ANG SITTING BETWEEN PEOPLE DURING FRIDAY PRAYERS

It is disliked and abhored for people to walk between those sitting during Friday gathering. Such actions are disliked by the Sunnah. Concession is given only when the purpose is to fill an empty spot.

Several narrations have described an episode during the time of Rasulullah SAW where a man once came to the Friday congregation and started walking between people while the Prophet Muhammad SAW was delivering his speech.

So the Prophet Muhammad SAW told him:

"Sit because you caused harm (inconvenience) to other people and came in late!" (Abu Dawud, Nasa'i & Ahmad)


FRIDAY HAS NOT BEEN LEGISLATED AS A DAY OFF WORK

Islam has not ordained that Friday be a day off and so that there is no work in it.

Relating to this, Allah SWT mentions in the Qur'an:

"And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah: Ayat 10)

Thus, it may be added here that it was also not the habit of any of the Companions RA of the Prophet Muhammad SAW to consider Friday as a day to take off work.

The grand Mujtahideen - Imam Malik RA further explained on this point:

"It is disliked to take Friday off since we will be resembling the Jews and Christians for taking, respectively - Saturday or Sunday off."

Nevertheless, such situations in this day and age make it difficult for people to leave early and become well-prepared for Friday Prayers. Thus many Muslim states who confine Friday to a day of rest is also doing good - enabling Muslims to prepare for Friday prayers from the beginning of the day. The crux of the issue here is to understand that:

(a) A Muslim may work on Friday, but must stop accordingly to prepare for Friday Prayers.

(b) When possibilities arise to come to Friday Prayers early, then we should take the opportunity to practice the commendations of Rasulullah SAW as described above.


A FINAL NOTE

All Muslims must not neglect Friday Prayers because of work, study, or other matters. Every Muslims should make attending Friday Prayer as his top priority. The womenfolk should also exhort their husbands, brothers, sons to place their priorities right on Friday. It is important to do so since ignoring it three times with no valid reason will cause the heart to be sealed from the right path.

The second matter to watch for is the Ummah's lost of interest in the importance of Friday. This is especially important for our generation today who are used to the concept of weekends being Saturday and Sunday; and know almost nothing about the importance of Friday in the eyes of Muslims. So it is our duty to remind others, whatmore ourselves about this great day - the greatest day of the week.

Understanding The True Meaning, Application and Implication of FARDHU KIFAYAH

Some acquaintances have sincerely approached me on the stance which I have orated before in my classes:

- the fact that it is wajib for all mature male Muslims to strive and perform their five time daily solat at a place where the Adhaan is called e.g. the masjid, surau / musolla; and excuse is only given when fourteen conditions come into existence (not mentioned here for brevity).

So many say that this is only applicable for Friday Prayers.

This post aims to clarify the meaning and status of Fardhu Kifayah for the practicality and faith of the Muslim Ummah. InshaAllah. When you have read and understood this, practice it, and teach it to your wife, children, family, friends and the whole Ummah of Rasulullah SAW.


FARDHU 'AIN & FARDHU KIFAYAH

Fardhu 'Ain means - Personally Obligatory.
Fardhu Kifayah means - Communally Obligatory.

A Fardhu 'Ain act is what Allah SWT requires from each and every morally responsible person. It is thus insufficient for someone to perform such an act on another's behalf - such as the solat, zakat, Hajj (except for special conditions), keeping agreements, and avoiding wine or gambling etc.

A Fardhu Kifayah act is what Allah SWT requires from the collectivity of those morally responsible, not from each one of them, such that if someone undertakes it, then the obligation has been fulfilled and the sin and responsibility of non-performance is lifted from the rest; on the other hand - if no one undertakes it, then all are guilty of serious sin for neglecting the obligation. Examples include - praying over the dead, building hospitals, lifesaving, fire fighting, medicine, industries people require, the existence of Islamic courts and judges, issuing formal legal opinions, responding to someone who says "Assalaamu'alaikum" and testifying in court.

Allah requires that these obligatory acts exist in the Islamic Community regardless of who does them. But Allah does not require they be done by each person, or some particular one, since the interests of the Community are realised by the existence of these things through the efforts of some of those morally responsible, and do not entail every particular person's performance of them.

In the fulfilment of Fardhu Kifayah - Someone able through himself or his property to perform the Fardhu Kifayah act is obliged to perform it, and someone unable to do it himself is obliged to urge and have the person do it who can. If the obligatory act is done, all are cleared of the sin, and if neglected all the guilty of serious sin.

The person capable of it is guilty because he neglected a communally obligatory act he could have done, and the rest are guilty because they neglected to urge him and have him perform the obligatory act he was capable of.

When an individual is the only one available who can perform a communally obligatory act, it becomes personally obligatory for him.

Relating to the previous issue discussed with acquaintances - the establishment of five-times daily congregational solat in the mosque does not just get fulfilled with just one Imam and one Muadhin. Instead - true establishment of five-times daily prayer occurs only when the majority of Muslim men perform their solats in the mosque. Establishment means the atmosphere and environment of Friday prayers.

If referring to the Shafi'i school, not even the minimum number of people qualifiable for Friday prayers are seen praying five times a day in the mosque.

Thus - relating to the paragraph above marked in red - those who understand must perform it and exhort others, thus Fardhu Kifayah becomes Fardhu 'Ain for them.

Quick Hadith 128

Aus ibn Aus RA is reported to have said:

"I heard Nabi (SAW) saying:

'He who takes Ghusl (a bath) on the day of Jumu'ah (Friday Prayers) and does a proper Ghusl; comes early to the Masjid; walks; sits close to the Imam and listens attentively without doing any useless actions, he will earn a reward of one year's fasting and one year's worship for every step that he takes towards the Masjid.' " (Mutajir; Nahda)


COMMENTARY

Can there be anyone else to blame for not stretching out our hands to grab from the treasures of the Almighty than our own souls?

One complete year's reward of fasting and another complete year's reward of standing in worship at the price of a mere FIVE simple actions, what a bargain !

a) Proper Ghusl;
b) Come early;
c) Walk to the Masjid;
d) Sit close to the Imam; and
e) Listen attentively.

Boss Doesn't Allow Friday Prayers

Jummu'ah (Friday Prayers) is a salient feature of Islam.

Unfortunately in today's society - both Non-Muslims and the ignorant and worldly-minded among fasiq Muslims ignore the importance of this weekly commandment of Allah on all mature male Muslims.

A male mature Muslim is not excused for not attending Jummu'ah. If he intentionally leaves this for three weeks in a row without valid excuse - he will leave Islam immediately.

Any person who is prevented by his employer or work colleagues from going to Friday prayers must exhaust every possible avenue to explain to his employers the importance of Jummu'ah Solat and make necessary adjustments to be able to perform it.

However still, if the employer is insistent in their stance, then it will not be sinful to still ignore and participate in the Jummu'ah solat. In countries like Malaysia, the right to attend Jummu'ah Solat is part of the law of the country and any Muslim who is prevented by his employers to attend Jummu'ah has a court case in hand. Any threats from the employer / colleague can be used as evidence, as those threats cannot be used by the employer.

Jumu'ah vs Professional / University Obligations ?

Many Muslim males today leave Friday prayers for the reason of professional obligations and education.

Let it be understood that Jumu'ah Solat every Fridays is compulsory upon all Muslim mature males.

Anyone who has professional / university commitments conflicting with the prayer time should make arrangements with the employer / university so that he may attend Jumu'ah Solat.

If the employer / university does not agree to give time for you to go for Jumma, it is permissible and compulsary to leave for Jumu'ah prayers. The law of the country usually sides the victim in this regard.

The Language of The Jumu'ah Khutbah

Hereunder is a brief view of the Four Imams regarding the language of the Jumu'ah Khutbah:

1. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal RA's ruling:
The Khutbah is incorrect in any other language but Arabic, and only if no one present knows Arabic or no one can read it then only will it be permissible in another language.

2. Imam Muhammad bin Idris As-Shafi'i RA's ruling:
It is a pre-requisite that the beginnings of both Khutbahs be in Arabic. If a person who knows Arabic cannot be found then at least one Ayat of the Qur'an be recited and if this too is not possible then some Tasbih or Zikr (in Arabic) be mentioned. (As observed in Malaysia)

3. Imam Malik bin Anas RA's ruling:
It is a condition that the Khutbah be delivered in Arabic despite the people being non-Arabs. If anyone in the audience cannot speak Arabic or read Arabic, then Jumu'ah will fall off and they would have to read Zuhr Solat instead of Jumu'ah.

4. Imam Abu Hanifah RA's ruling:
It is a ruling that the language of the Jumu'ah Khutbah must be in Arabic, and there are no exceptions.

No doubt, let us understand as an overall that the Jumu'ah Khutbah, unlike ordinary lectures - holds a special position in Islam. One must observe and make taqlid of the Imam that he follows with this regard.

The question may arise that in many parts of the world (apart from Arab countries), the congregation for Jumu'ah do not understand Arabic. It should be understood that the Khutbah is not a lecture - it is a Zikr.

Allah Ta'ala says in the Noble Qur'an:

"Hasten towards the Zikr of Allah." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah: Verse 9)

Therefore, the requirement or validity of Jumu'ah does not depend upon that audience understanding the Khutbah. Furthermore, the Khutbah is from the Shaair of Islam (salient features of Islam). Like Hajj, Eid-ul-Adha and the Adhaan, the Jumu'ah Khutbah too is from the distiguished symbols of Islam, hence, the added emphasis on maintaining it in the manner it was carried out during the lifetime of Rasulullah SAW.

It is of utmost importance to maintain the Shaair of Islam in their original form so that its beauty can become manifest throughout the world. Can we imagine the Adhaan called out in any other language besides Arabic? It would not be called Adhaan, neither would it qualify for the requirements and integrals of Adhaan. Similarly, the Jumu'ah Khutbah, if delivered in Arabic - the official language of Islam - will make manifest the essence of Islam.