Friday (day of Jummah) is the best day of the week. Allah Almighty has given this day superiority over all other days.

Therefore, an indescribable sense of joy born of affection and warmth blossoms in the hearts of believers on Friday. The radiance of mutual goodwill, harmony and love spreads among them. There are several special acts of worship and religious practices for this day, as found in the life of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). They are discussed below:

1. Reciting Surahs As-Sajdah and Al-Insan at Fajr: Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) used to recite Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Al-Insan in the Friday Fajr prayer. (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1068)

These surahs were recited on Friday because they discuss the creation of Adam (AS), resurrection, the gathering of people on the Day of Judgement and other matters that will take place on Friday. Their recitation therefore serves as a reminder to the Ummah.

2. Sending abundant blessings upon the Prophet: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “Send abundant blessings upon me on Friday, for your blessings are presented to me.” (Abu Dawud, Hadith 1047)

3. Offering the Friday prayer: Among the obligatory acts of worship in Islam, the Friday prayer holds great importance. Apart from the Day of Arafah, it is the day when the largest number of people gather together. Allah places a seal on the hearts of those who abandon the Friday prayer out of laziness or disregard.

4. Taking a bath: Special emphasis has been placed on bathing on Friday. Salim (RA), through his father, narrated that he heard the Prophet (PBUH) say, “Whoever comes to the Friday prayer should take a bath.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith 492)

5. Using perfume: It is preferable to use more perfume on Friday than on other days. Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (RA) said, “I testify that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: When perfume is available on Friday, use it.” (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 880)

6. Going to the mosque early: This is an important practice for attaining the blessings of Friday, and special attention should therefore be paid to it.

7. Remaining engaged in worship: One should remain engaged in prayer, remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Quran until the imam comes for the Friday prayer.

8. Remaining completely silent during the sermon: Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever says to his companion, ‘Be quiet’, while the imam is delivering the Friday sermon has engaged in idle talk.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i, Hadith 1401)

9. Reciting Surah Al-Kahf: Abu Sa’id Al-Khudri (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will have a light between the two Fridays.” (At-Targhib, Hadith 735)

10. Reciting the prescribed surahs in the Friday prayer: Nu’man ibn Bashir (RA) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to recite “Sabbihisma Rabbikal A’la” and “Hal Ataka Hadithul-Ghashiyah” in the two Eid prayers and the Friday prayer. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1913)

According to some narrations, the Prophet (PBUH) also used to recite Surah Al-Jumu’ah and Surah Al-A’la.

11. Wearing clean and good clothes: Abu Dharr (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever takes a proper bath on Friday, purifies himself properly, wears his best clothes and applies the perfume provided by Allah for his family, then comes to the Friday prayer without engaging in idle behaviour or separating two people to make his way forward, will have his sins between that Friday and the next Friday forgiven.” (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 1097)

12. Perfuming the mosque: Umar (RA) ordered that the mosque be perfumed at midday on Friday.

13. Seeking forgiveness: On this day, Allah Almighty grants abundant forgiveness. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “If a Muslim purifies himself and walks to the congregational mosque, then remains silent until the imam finishes the prayer, that prayer will be an expiation for his sins between that Friday and the next, provided he avoids the major sins.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 23729)

14. Praying for the deceased: It is said that the punishment of the grave is lifted on Friday. Abu Qatadah (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) disliked offering prayer at exactly midday on days other than Friday. He said, “The Fire of Hell is kindled on days other than Friday.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith 1083)

This hadith is cited as evidence that the punishment of the grave is lifted from a person who dies on Friday or Thursday night. However, it does not establish with certainty that the punishment will not be imposed until the Day of Judgement.

15. Making abundant supplication: There is a particular time on Friday when supplications are accepted. Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “There is certainly a moment on Friday when, if a Muslim asks Allah for something good, He will surely grant it.” He said that the moment is very brief. (Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1858)

According to the majority of scholars, this period is from after the Asr prayer until shortly before Maghrib. (Abridged from Zad al-Ma’ad.)