٤٩. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشاً أَقْرَنَ وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ حَضَرَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ».
49. Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Any person who takes a bath lustration on Friday as if cleansing from major impurities and then goes to mosque for Friday prayer early, he gets rewarded 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 ascends the pulpit (i.e. starts delivering the khutba (sermon)), the angels present themselves to listen to the khutba.” (Bukhari, Jum’a, 4; Muslim, Jum’a, 10. Also see Abu Dawud, Taharah, 127/351; Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 6/499; Nasai, Jum’a, 14/1386)
٥٠. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجُمُعَةَ فَاسْتَمَعَ وَأَنْصَتَ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَزِيَادَةُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَمَنْ مَسَّ الْحَصَى فَقَدْ لَغَا».
50. Abu Huraira (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“He who performs ablution well, then comes to Friday prayer, listens (to the sermon) silently, all his sins between that time and the next Friday will be forgiven with three days extra; and he who touches pebbles, causes an interruption, his rewards will be incomplete.” (Muslim, Jum’a, 27. Also see. Abu Dawud, Salah, 202-203/1050; Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 5/498; Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 62, 81)
٥١. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ أنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ذَكَرَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ:
«فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لَا يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي يَسْأَلُ اللّٰهَ تَعَالَى شَيْئاً إلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إيَّاهُ» وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ يُقَلِّلُهَا.
51. Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) talked about Friday and said:
“There is an hour (opportune time) on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.”
And he (the Prophet) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. (Bukhari, Jum`a, 37; Talak, 24; Da‘awat, 61; Muslim, Musafirin, 166, 167; Jum’a, 13-15. Also see Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 2/490, 491; Nasai, Jum’a, 45/1428; Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 99)
٥٢. عَنْ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ عَلَى أَعْوَادِ مِنْبَرِهِ:
«لَيَنْتَهِيَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ عَنْ وَدْعِهِمُ الْجُمُعَاتِ أَوْ لَيَخْتِمَنَّ اللّٰهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَيَكُونُنَّ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ».
52. Abu Huraira and Ibn Umar (r.a.) reported hearing the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying while giving a khutbah (sermon):
“Some people either stop abandoning the Friday Prayer or Allah the Almighty seal their hearts so they join the ignorant ones.” (Muslim, Jum’a, 40. Also see Nasai, Jum’a, 2/1368; Ibn Majah, Masajid, 17)
Explanations:
Friday Prayer (Salat al-Jum‘a) is One of the manifestations of the importance that Islam attached to socialization. As a matter of fact, the word “Jum‘a” comes from the root “jama‘a” which means “gathering or coming together.” Friday is accepted as a holiday for believers[1] and many hadith are reported mentioning its virtues. This is a virtuous day because the Friday Prayer is specific to this day, which is one of the most important acts of worships that gathers all the Muslims together. And it has a moment in it which all supplications are accepted. Many important incidents took place on this day. Allah the Almighty gets pleased to see His servants worshipping together. For this reason, He regards the acts of worship performed in congregation, such as the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jum’a), the festivity prayers (Salat al-Eidain), and pilgrimage (Hajj) more virtuous than acts of worship performed alone.
Allah says about Friday in a noble verse:
“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if you but knew!” (Al-Jum‘a; 62:9)
Due to His mercy on His servants, Allah always commanded the things that are good for them. When the call to prayer (adhan) is heard, leaving everything behind and running to the Friday Prayer is one of them. That is because it helps to ensure the eternal salvation.
The divine rewards are more for those who make some preparations before going to the Friday Prayer and go to the mosque as early as possible. The terms used in the first hadith such as “the second hour, the third hour” were not used in their literal meanings but rather short time intervals between the time that the congregation begins to assemble and the imam starts delivering his sermon. The goal is to make people pay attention to such an important worship by encouraging them towards it.
To get ready for the Friday Prayer, first of all, one may perform the major ablution (ghusl). The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“If any one of you performs ablution (on Friday) this is all right; and if any of you takes a bath, that is even more virtuous.” (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 128/354; Tirmidhi, Jum’a 5/497)
In order not to bother people, one must complete his personal care such as brushing the teeth, grooming the hair and beard, putting on clean clothes, and wearing nice perfumes. (Bukhari, Jum’a, 6, 19; Abu Dawud, Taharah, 128/353)
Mosques should be cleaned and deodorized, and if possible one should recite chapters of sajdah and dahr in the dawn Prayer, chapters of jum’a and al-munafiqun (Hypocrites) or al’a and ghashiya in Friday prayer, al-kahf,[2] during the day, and remember and pray Allah and invoke blessings on the Messenger of Allah. As a matter of fact, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Friday is among the most excellent of your days…so invoke more blessings on me on that day, because your blessings will be submitted to me.” (Abu Dawud, Salah, 201/1047)
A Muslim who gets ready for Friday Prayer should walk to a mosque instead of taking a ride whenever it is possible. That is because acting this way is more suitable for the state of modesty and awe. One must pay attention not to bother anyone while going to a mosque and in the mosque and should not disturb others trying to get to the front rows. If a sermon is given before the prayer, one must listen quietly, and if there is no sermon, one should keep himself busy with remembering Allah and performing supererogatory acts of worship. While the Khutbah is delivered, one must listen carefully to what the imam is saying and listen to him quietly without paying attention to anything else.
In the second hadith, we are informed that a Friday Prayer performed in accordance with its proper rules becomes expiation for minor sins of ten days. In other words, Allah the Almighty responds to a good deed with ten times the rewards and shows his mercy to His servants. In forgiving the sins, the three extra days that is special to Friday Prayer indicates the significance of this particular worship. From this and other similar sayings of the Prophet (pbuh), it is understood that our Lord Almighty wants to forgive us in every chance possible.
In the hadith, it is stated that a person who plays with pebbles would waste his time and be deprived of the rewards of Friday prayer. With this approach, it is intended that Muslims should listen to the sermon carefully and get informed about the issues of the society and pay attention to them together.
In the time of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), the floor of the mosques and prayer rooms were covered with sand and pebbles. Today, the same thing applies to those who perform their prayers outside a mosque. However, the real object of this hadith is to warn about not listening to the imam and being busy with something else while the sermon is being delivered and also distracting others. The thing that distracts our attention can be a pebble or a cell phone, the design of the rug, or something else. The warning of the Messenger of Allah is for us to get more benefit from the virtues of the Friday Prayer.
According to Hanafi School, the Friday Prayer is composed of, first, a four-unit sunnah prayer,[3] then a two unit fard (obligatory) prayer, followed by a four and two unit sunnah prayers[4].
There is also a four-unit zuhr akhir (last noon) prayer performed before the last two units of sunnah, and its performance became a tradition as scholars put forward some requirements for a Friday Prayer to be valid. These are the requirements such as “only one Friday prayer can be performed in one town” or “Friday prayer can be performed only with the permission of the president of the Muslim state.” Some scholars viewed that performing four units of zuhr akhir prayer after the Friday prayer would be acting cautiously thinking that some of these requirements are not met.
Other scholars said that there is no evidence either in the Qur’an nor in Sunnah that proves requirements such as the permission of the president of the state, however other requirements such as being in a city, a certain number of congregation members, and performing it in a mosque or only one mosque in a city should be sought. Accordingly, Friday prayer should be performed when there is a congregation, regardless of its size, and an imam who can lead the congregation whether in a small or big city.[5]
The moment of time in Friday mentioned in our third hadith in which the prayers are accepted is kept short and secret in order to have Muslims alert and enthusiastic. It is possible that this moment of time is in sometime either from the beginning of the sermon to the Friday Prayer[6] or in between the Afternoon Prayer (Salat al-Asr) and sunset. By examining the part of the hadith “if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah” one may question how a person can ask for something from Allah while performing the ritual prayer. Some of the Noble Companions answered this question saying:
“Whoever sits and waits for the prayer is considered as if he is performing the ritual prayer during this time.” (Abu Dawud, Salah, 201/1046)
Therefore, the reason behind the hadith that prohibits talking or doing something else while the sermon is delivered can better be understood. One must certainly ask from Allah something good and benefitial both in this world and the Hereafter rather than asking for something bad or forbidden.
After the performance of the Friday Prayer, everyone can return to their work, provided that one must never forget Allah in the pace of life…
In the noble verses, it is said that:
“And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that you may prosper. But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave thee standing. Say: “The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! And Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).”” (Al-Juma’; 62:10-11)
Therefore, a believer should never prefer worldly benefits over the rewards of Friday Prayer. One must know that the rewards of Allah for those who attend the Friday Prayer are better than everything else. Showing negligence by worrying about earning a livelihood is a sign of forgetting one of the divine attributes of Allah, i.e. al-Razzaq (The Provider). As a matter of fact, all creatures’ livelihoods are bestowed upon them by Allah. The forgiveness, mercy, and paradise that Allah will bestow upon them are better than everything in this world combined. Abandoning the Friday Prayer by forgetting all these facts causes the destruction of eternal happiness. This fact expressed in the fourth hadith is also expressed in another narration as:
“He who leaves the Friday prayer (continuously) for three Fridays on account of slackness, Allah will print a stamp on his heart.” (Abu Dawud, Salah, 203-204/1052; Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 7/500)
Those whose hearts are sealed lose the ability to turn to Allah and to the right path by missing out the blessing and favor of Allah. In order to be saved from this situation, one must pledge not to act wrong anymore, ask for the forgiveness of Allah, and even give alms and do good deeds to show his sincerity. (Abu Dawud, Salah, 203-204/1053-54)
[1] Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 83.
[2] See Hayreddin Karaman, “Cuma” Diyanet İslâm Ansiklopedisi, VIII, 85.
[3] Bukhari, Adhan, 14, 16; Muslim, Musafirin, 304; Abu Dawud, Salah, 238; Tirmidhi, Jumu‘ah, 24/523.
[4] Muslim, Jumu‘ah, 67-71; Musafirin, 104; Bukhari, Tahajjud, 25, 29.
[5] For details on Jumuah see Hayreddin Karaman, “Cuma” article in Diyanet İslâm Ansiklopedisi,VIII, 87; İslâm’ın Işığında Günün Meseleleri, I, 14-63.
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4. The Friday Prayer (Salat Al-Jum’a)
٤٩. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:
«مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشاً أَقْرَنَ وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ حَضَرَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ».
49. Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“Any person who takes a bath lustration on Friday as if cleansing from major impurities and then goes to mosque for Friday prayer early, he gets rewarded 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 ascends the pulpit (i.e. starts delivering the khutba (sermon)), the angels present themselves to listen to the khutba.” (Bukhari, Jum’a, 4; Muslim, Jum’a, 10. Also see Abu Dawud, Taharah, 127/351; Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 6/499; Nasai, Jum’a, 14/1386)
٥٠. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:
«مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجُمُعَةَ فَاسْتَمَعَ وَأَنْصَتَ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَزِيَادَةُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَمَنْ مَسَّ الْحَصَى فَقَدْ لَغَا».
50. Abu Huraira (r.a.) reported that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said:
“He who performs ablution well, then comes to Friday prayer, listens (to the sermon) silently, all his sins between that time and the next Friday will be forgiven with three days extra; and he who touches pebbles, causes an interruption, his rewards will be incomplete.” (Muslim, Jum’a, 27. Also see. Abu Dawud, Salah, 202-203/1050; Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 5/498; Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 62, 81)
٥١. عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ أنَّ رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ذَكَرَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ:
«فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لَا يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي يَسْأَلُ اللّٰهَ تَعَالَى شَيْئاً إلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إيَّاهُ» وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ يُقَلِّلُهَا.
51. Abu Huraira (r.a.) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) talked about Friday and said:
“There is an hour (opportune time) on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.”
And he (the Prophet) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. (Bukhari, Jum`a, 37; Talak, 24; Da‘awat, 61; Muslim, Musafirin, 166, 167; Jum’a, 13-15. Also see Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 2/490, 491; Nasai, Jum’a, 45/1428; Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 99)
٥٢. عَنْ عَبْدِ اللّٰهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا رَسُولَ اللّٰهِ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ عَلَى أَعْوَادِ مِنْبَرِهِ:
«لَيَنْتَهِيَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ عَنْ وَدْعِهِمُ الْجُمُعَاتِ أَوْ لَيَخْتِمَنَّ اللّٰهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ ثُمَّ لَيَكُونُنَّ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ».
52. Abu Huraira and Ibn Umar (r.a.) reported hearing the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying while giving a khutbah (sermon):
“Some people either stop abandoning the Friday Prayer or Allah the Almighty seal their hearts so they join the ignorant ones.” (Muslim, Jum’a, 40. Also see Nasai, Jum’a, 2/1368; Ibn Majah, Masajid, 17)
Explanations:
Friday Prayer (Salat al-Jum‘a) is One of the manifestations of the importance that Islam attached to socialization. As a matter of fact, the word “Jum‘a” comes from the root “jama‘a” which means “gathering or coming together.” Friday is accepted as a holiday for believers[1] and many hadith are reported mentioning its virtues. This is a virtuous day because the Friday Prayer is specific to this day, which is one of the most important acts of worships that gathers all the Muslims together. And it has a moment in it which all supplications are accepted. Many important incidents took place on this day. Allah the Almighty gets pleased to see His servants worshipping together. For this reason, He regards the acts of worship performed in congregation, such as the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jum’a), the festivity prayers (Salat al-Eidain), and pilgrimage (Hajj) more virtuous than acts of worship performed alone.
Allah says about Friday in a noble verse:
“O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if you but knew!” (Al-Jum‘a; 62:9)
Due to His mercy on His servants, Allah always commanded the things that are good for them. When the call to prayer (adhan) is heard, leaving everything behind and running to the Friday Prayer is one of them. That is because it helps to ensure the eternal salvation.
The divine rewards are more for those who make some preparations before going to the Friday Prayer and go to the mosque as early as possible. The terms used in the first hadith such as “the second hour, the third hour” were not used in their literal meanings but rather short time intervals between the time that the congregation begins to assemble and the imam starts delivering his sermon. The goal is to make people pay attention to such an important worship by encouraging them towards it.
To get ready for the Friday Prayer, first of all, one may perform the major ablution (ghusl). The Prophet (pbuh) said:
“If any one of you performs ablution (on Friday) this is all right; and if any of you takes a bath, that is even more virtuous.” (Abu Dawud, Taharah, 128/354; Tirmidhi, Jum’a 5/497)
In order not to bother people, one must complete his personal care such as brushing the teeth, grooming the hair and beard, putting on clean clothes, and wearing nice perfumes. (Bukhari, Jum’a, 6, 19; Abu Dawud, Taharah, 128/353)
Mosques should be cleaned and deodorized, and if possible one should recite chapters of sajdah and dahr in the dawn Prayer, chapters of jum’a and al-munafiqun (Hypocrites) or al’a and ghashiya in Friday prayer, al-kahf,[2] during the day, and remember and pray Allah and invoke blessings on the Messenger of Allah. As a matter of fact, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“Friday is among the most excellent of your days…so invoke more blessings on me on that day, because your blessings will be submitted to me.” (Abu Dawud, Salah, 201/1047)
A Muslim who gets ready for Friday Prayer should walk to a mosque instead of taking a ride whenever it is possible. That is because acting this way is more suitable for the state of modesty and awe. One must pay attention not to bother anyone while going to a mosque and in the mosque and should not disturb others trying to get to the front rows. If a sermon is given before the prayer, one must listen quietly, and if there is no sermon, one should keep himself busy with remembering Allah and performing supererogatory acts of worship. While the Khutbah is delivered, one must listen carefully to what the imam is saying and listen to him quietly without paying attention to anything else.
In the second hadith, we are informed that a Friday Prayer performed in accordance with its proper rules becomes expiation for minor sins of ten days. In other words, Allah the Almighty responds to a good deed with ten times the rewards and shows his mercy to His servants. In forgiving the sins, the three extra days that is special to Friday Prayer indicates the significance of this particular worship. From this and other similar sayings of the Prophet (pbuh), it is understood that our Lord Almighty wants to forgive us in every chance possible.
In the hadith, it is stated that a person who plays with pebbles would waste his time and be deprived of the rewards of Friday prayer. With this approach, it is intended that Muslims should listen to the sermon carefully and get informed about the issues of the society and pay attention to them together.
In the time of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), the floor of the mosques and prayer rooms were covered with sand and pebbles. Today, the same thing applies to those who perform their prayers outside a mosque. However, the real object of this hadith is to warn about not listening to the imam and being busy with something else while the sermon is being delivered and also distracting others. The thing that distracts our attention can be a pebble or a cell phone, the design of the rug, or something else. The warning of the Messenger of Allah is for us to get more benefit from the virtues of the Friday Prayer.
According to Hanafi School, the Friday Prayer is composed of, first, a four-unit sunnah prayer,[3] then a two unit fard (obligatory) prayer, followed by a four and two unit sunnah prayers[4].
There is also a four-unit zuhr akhir (last noon) prayer performed before the last two units of sunnah, and its performance became a tradition as scholars put forward some requirements for a Friday Prayer to be valid. These are the requirements such as “only one Friday prayer can be performed in one town” or “Friday prayer can be performed only with the permission of the president of the Muslim state.” Some scholars viewed that performing four units of zuhr akhir prayer after the Friday prayer would be acting cautiously thinking that some of these requirements are not met.
Other scholars said that there is no evidence either in the Qur’an nor in Sunnah that proves requirements such as the permission of the president of the state, however other requirements such as being in a city, a certain number of congregation members, and performing it in a mosque or only one mosque in a city should be sought. Accordingly, Friday prayer should be performed when there is a congregation, regardless of its size, and an imam who can lead the congregation whether in a small or big city.[5]
The moment of time in Friday mentioned in our third hadith in which the prayers are accepted is kept short and secret in order to have Muslims alert and enthusiastic. It is possible that this moment of time is in sometime either from the beginning of the sermon to the Friday Prayer[6] or in between the Afternoon Prayer (Salat al-Asr) and sunset. By examining the part of the hadith “if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah” one may question how a person can ask for something from Allah while performing the ritual prayer. Some of the Noble Companions answered this question saying:
“Whoever sits and waits for the prayer is considered as if he is performing the ritual prayer during this time.” (Abu Dawud, Salah, 201/1046)
Therefore, the reason behind the hadith that prohibits talking or doing something else while the sermon is delivered can better be understood. One must certainly ask from Allah something good and benefitial both in this world and the Hereafter rather than asking for something bad or forbidden.
After the performance of the Friday Prayer, everyone can return to their work, provided that one must never forget Allah in the pace of life…
In the noble verses, it is said that:
“And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that you may prosper. But when they see some bargain or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave thee standing. Say: “The (blessing) from the Presence of Allah is better than any amusement or bargain! And Allah is the Best to provide (for all needs).”” (Al-Juma’; 62:10-11)
Therefore, a believer should never prefer worldly benefits over the rewards of Friday Prayer. One must know that the rewards of Allah for those who attend the Friday Prayer are better than everything else. Showing negligence by worrying about earning a livelihood is a sign of forgetting one of the divine attributes of Allah, i.e. al-Razzaq (The Provider). As a matter of fact, all creatures’ livelihoods are bestowed upon them by Allah. The forgiveness, mercy, and paradise that Allah will bestow upon them are better than everything in this world combined. Abandoning the Friday Prayer by forgetting all these facts causes the destruction of eternal happiness. This fact expressed in the fourth hadith is also expressed in another narration as:
“He who leaves the Friday prayer (continuously) for three Fridays on account of slackness, Allah will print a stamp on his heart.” (Abu Dawud, Salah, 203-204/1052; Tirmidhi, Jum’a, 7/500)
Those whose hearts are sealed lose the ability to turn to Allah and to the right path by missing out the blessing and favor of Allah. In order to be saved from this situation, one must pledge not to act wrong anymore, ask for the forgiveness of Allah, and even give alms and do good deeds to show his sincerity. (Abu Dawud, Salah, 203-204/1053-54)
[1] Ibn Majah, Iqamah, 83.
[2] See Hayreddin Karaman, “Cuma” Diyanet İslâm Ansiklopedisi, VIII, 85.
[3] Bukhari, Adhan, 14, 16; Muslim, Musafirin, 304; Abu Dawud, Salah, 238; Tirmidhi, Jumu‘ah, 24/523.
[4] Muslim, Jumu‘ah, 67-71; Musafirin, 104; Bukhari, Tahajjud, 25, 29.
[5] For details on Jumuah see Hayreddin Karaman, “Cuma” article in Diyanet İslâm Ansiklopedisi,VIII, 87; İslâm’ın Işığında Günün Meseleleri, I, 14-63.
[6] Muslim, Jumu‘ah, 16.
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