Hadiths About Friday
Friday is regarded as a festive day for Muslims, brimming with rewards and blessings. The following are well-established hadiths from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) highlighting the merits of this day:
- The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The best of your days is Friday. On it, Adam was created, on it, he passed away, on it, the trumpet will be blown, and on it, the Great Tremor will occur.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “The five daily prayers, from one Friday to the next, and from one Ramadan to the next, serve as expiation for what occurs in between, provided one avoids the major sins.”
- He also said: “There is an hour on Friday during which a Muslim servant stands praying and asks Allah for something, except that He grants it to him.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) reiterated: “On Friday, there is an hour when the Muslim who asks Allah for good during it will be granted what he wishes. It is a brief hour.” In another narration, he did not mention that it is a brief hour.
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “We are the last nation, yet we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, even though every nation before us was given their scripture. Ours was given to us after theirs. This day was decreed for us, and Allah guided us to it. The people are our followers on this day, the Jews will follow tomorrow, and the Christians the day after.” [In another narration]: “We are the last nation, yet we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, similarly.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) noted: “The best day upon which the sun has risen is Friday. On it, Adam was created, on it, he was admitted to Paradise, and on it, he was expelled from it. The Hour will not occur except on a Friday.”
Hadiths on the Virtue of Sending Blessings upon the Prophet on Friday
Sending blessings upon the Prophet on Friday holds significant merit, as indicated by the following hadiths:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Indeed, among the best of your days is Friday, so increase your prayers upon me during it, for your prayers are presented to me.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can our prayers be presented to you when you have passed away?” He replied: “Indeed, Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets (peace be upon them).”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized: “Among the best of your days is Friday. On this day, Adam was created, passed away, the trumpet was blown, and the Great Tremor occurred. Therefore, increase your prayers upon me during it, for they are presented to me.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can our prayers be presented to you when you have passed away?” He reiterated that Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets.
Hadiths on the Importance of Purification and Early Arrival for Friday Prayers
Multiple hadiths highlight the virtues of purification and arriving early for Friday prayers. Here are some noteworthy examples:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Whoever takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janabah, then goes to the mosque, it is as if he has sacrificed a camel. Whoever arrives in the second hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a cow. Whoever arrives in the third hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a horned ram. Whoever arrives in the fourth hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a hen. Whoever arrives in the fifth hour, it is as if he has sacrificed an egg. When the imam comes out, the angels attend and listen to the remembrance.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: “No man should wash on Friday and purify himself to the best of his ability, apply some scent, then leave without separating two people, and offer whatever prayer is written for him. He should listen attentively when the imam speaks, except that all his sins between that Friday and the next will be forgiven.”
- He also said: “Whoever washed on Friday and then arrived early, walked instead of riding, got close to the imam, listened attentively, and did not engage in idle talk, each step he takes will earn him the reward equivalent to a year of fasting and praying.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “If someone performs ablution on Friday, that is good, but to take a bath is better.”
- He stated: “On Fridays, angels are stationed at every door of the mosque, recording the first arrivals. When the imam sits down, they fold up their registers and come to listen to the remembrance.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: “If any of you is going to Friday prayer, he should take a bath.”
Hadiths on the Preference for Reading Surah Al-Kahf on Friday
It is recommended to recite Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays, as evidenced by the following hadiths:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.”
- He further stated: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf as it was revealed will have a light on the Day of Judgment from his place to Mecca. If he reads ten verses from its end and then the Dajjal appears, he will not be overpowered by him. And whoever performs ablution and then says: ‘Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You. There is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance,’ will have it recorded on a parchment, sealed with a seal that will never be broken until the Day of Judgment.”