Friday: A Day of Significance
Friday is recognized as the seventh day of the week and is designated by Allah – the Almighty – as a day of celebration for Muslims. This special day brings together Muslims for the remembrance and worship of Allah, fostering a spirit of unity and love among them. On this day, believers are encouraged to increase their acts of worship and remembrance, prioritizing these over worldly distractions.
Reasons for the Distinction of Friday over Other Days
Friday is favored above the other days of the week due to various significant events associated with this day, as mentioned in authentic Hadiths. Here are some of them:
First: The Creation and Death of Adam
Numerous Hadiths indicate that Allah – the Most High – created Adam on a Friday. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) took hold of my hand and said: ‘Allah, the Exalted, created the soil on Saturday, created the mountains on Sunday, created the trees on Monday, created the immovable objects on Tuesday, created the light on Wednesday, and dispersed the creatures on Thursday. Then He created Adam, peace be upon him, in the last hour of Friday, between the afternoon and the night.’” This narrative emphasizes the greatness and coherence of Allah’s creation, signifying that Adam was created on a day imbued with importance. It is also stated in other authentic Hadiths that the day on which Adam and his wife Hawwa (Eve) were sent down to earth after eating from the forbidden tree was a Friday, a day marked by both their descent and Adam’s eventual passing.
Second: The Day of Judgment and Its Awe
This is one of the most significant reasons that distinguish Friday, as the Day of Judgment will occur on this very day, accompanied by tremendous fears and events, as affirmed by text from the Quran and Sunnah. All creatures are aware that the Day of Judgment will fall on a Friday, supported by reliable Hadiths. Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) related that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is no creature that does not listen intently on Friday from the moment the sun rises until it sets, out of fear of the Hour, except for jinn and humans.” This narration highlights the anticipation with which creatures await this day, while humans and jinn often remain heedless.
Third: The Obligation of Friday Prayers
Allah has endowed Friday with sanctity by prohibiting distractions that could interfere with the Friday prayer, such as trade. Several authentic Hadiths elaborate on the merits of the Friday prayer, including:
- The Friday prayer serves as an atonement for sins: Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers and the Friday prayer to the next Friday are an expiation for what occurs between them, as long as major sins are avoided.”
- The tremendous reward for walking to the mosque for Friday prayer: Authentic Hadiths indicate that walking to the Friday prayer earns a reward equivalent to that of a year of fasting and standing in prayer. A narration from Aws ibn Abu Aws (may Allah be pleased with him) states: “Whoever performs Ghusl on Friday and arrives early, walking without riding, and approaches the imam while listening attentively and not speaking idle words, every step he takes earns him the reward of a year of fasting and standing in prayer.”
- The merits of arriving early for Friday prayer: Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) noted that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Whoever performs Ghusl on Friday as if he is cleansing himself from impurity, and arrives at the first hour, it is as if he has offered a sacrificial camel. If he arrives at the second hour, it is as if he has offered a cow. If he arrives at the third hour, it is as if he has offered a horned ram. If he arrives at the fourth hour, it is as if he has offered a chicken. If he arrives at the fifth hour, it is as if he has offered an egg. When the imam comes out, the angels are present to listen to the remembrance.”
Fourth: A Moment on Friday When Prayers are Answered
Islamic law emphasizes a significant virtue associated with Friday, namely the responsiveness of prayers during an hour of this day. Scholars have differed on identifying this hour; some suggest it is from the moment the imam takes the pulpit until the conclusion of the prayer, while others indicate that it extends from after the afternoon prayer until sunset. Authentic Hadiths further indicate that it occurs in the last hour of Friday before sunset. All these times are mentioned in authentic narratives, and it is hoped that a Muslim’s supplication will be answered positively if they are certain of it and maintain a good opinion of Allah.