Hadiths About Friday
Friday holds a significant place among the days of the week, being regarded as one of the most esteemed days. Numerous religious texts from the Prophetic Sunnah illustrate its many virtues. Below are some of the key highlights:
- Friday is the best of days.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “The best of your days is Friday. On it, Adam was created, on it he died, the Sur (the trumpet) will be blown on it, and the Great Blast will occur on it.”
- It contains an hour in which supplications are answered.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) mentioned: “Indeed, there is a time on Friday wherein if any Muslim asks Allah for goodness during it, He will grant it to him.” It was noted that it is a brief hour, although another narration does not specify this.
- It was a day especially designated for the Muslim Ummah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) described: “We are the last to arrive on the Day of Judgment, yet we will be the first to enter Paradise. Each nation received their scripture prior to us; we received ours afterward. This is the day which Allah has decreed for us, and mankind follows in our footsteps—Jews tomorrow and Christians the day after.” In another narration, he reiterated, “We are the last but will be the first in the Day of Judgment, in a similar context.”
- The Hour will take place on Friday.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked: “The best day that the sun rises upon is Friday. Adam was created on this day, entered Paradise on it, and was expelled from it on this day. The Hour will not occur except on Friday.”
Hadiths on the Virtues of Good Deeds on Friday
Muslims are encouraged to make the most of this day by engaging in righteous deeds, such as increasing prayers upon the Prophet, arriving early for Friday prayers, and reciting Surah Al-Kahf. Below are some authentic narrations highlighting the significance of these actions on Friday:
Arriving Early for Friday Prayer
The merit of arriving early for the Friday prayer and sermon is emphasized by the following:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever performs the Ghusl (ritual washing) on Friday like the Ghusl of Janabah and goes to the mosque, it is as if he has sacrificed a camel. And 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 chicken, and whoever arrives in the fifth hour, it is as if he has sacrificed an egg. When the Imam comes out, the angels attend to listen to the remembrance.”
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “No man performs Ghusl on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, uses oil, or applies perfume from his house, then goes out without separating between two people, and prays what has been decreed for him, and listens when the Imam speaks, except that he will be forgiven for what is between him and the next Friday.”
Increasing Prayers upon the Prophet
Here are some evidences regarding the importance of sending blessings upon the Prophet on Friday:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasized: “The best of your days is Friday. On it, Adam was created, on it he died, the Sur was blown, and the Great Blast will occur. Therefore, increase your prayers upon me during it, for your prayers are presented to me.” When asked how their prayers could be presented to him since he had passed away, he replied: “Indeed, Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.”
- Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) noted: “Among the best of your days is Friday; therefore, increase your prayers upon me during it, for your prayers are presented to me.” Again, when questioning how this is possible, he explained that Allah has forbidden the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets, peace be upon them.
Reciting Surah Al-Kahf
The following points demonstrate the merit of reciting Surah Al-Kahf on Friday:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf as it was revealed will have a light on the Day of Judgment from his place to Mecca. And whoever reads ten verses from its end and the Dajjal appears, he will not be harmed by him. Whoever performs Wudu and then says: ‘Subhanaka Allahumma wa bihamdiKa, la ilaha illa Ant, astaghfiruka wa atubu ilayk,’ will have it recorded on a sheet which will be sealed and remain unbroken until the Day of Resurrection.”
- Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) affirmed: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will be illuminated with light from one Friday to the next.”