The Most Beautiful Prayers for Friday
While there are no explicit texts indicating that certain prayers are exclusively designated for Friday, it is clear from various scriptures that one should consistently engage in the morning and evening remembrances. Among these texts is the verse from Allah Almighty: “And glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting” (Surah Taha, 130). Another verse states: “And glorify the praises of your Lord in the evening and in the morning” (Surah Ghafir, 55), along with: “And glorify the praises of your Lord before the rising of the sun and before its setting” (Surah Qaf, 39), among others.
These forms of remembrance are recommended after the Asr prayer. If a Muslim finds himself sidetracked from these remembrances on other days, there is no shame in using this time for dhikr (remembrance) and supplication, as both acts are encouraged, especially in pursuit of the hour of response. Abu Dawood narrated from Jabir ibn Abdullah that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: “On Friday, there are twelve moments, and if a Muslim were to ask Allah for anything during these moments, Allah would grant it to him. Therefore, seek it during the last hour after Asr.”
The Hour of Response on Friday
There are specific hadiths indicating that Friday holds a unique hour during which a Muslim’s supplications are answered. Scholars have differed on the precise timing of this hour due to variations in reported narrations. Some suggest that it occurs between the moment the Imam takes the pulpit until the prayer concludes, as recorded in Sahih Muslim and other sources. Others propose that it is after Asr without limitation, while some believe it to be the last hour before sunset, as mentioned in various hadiths found in the Musnad and Sunan. A group of scholars, including al-Shawkani, favored the notion that it is the last hour before sunset, which is considered the more prevailing view among the companions, followers, and scholars.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned Friday, stating: “There is an hour on it wherein a Muslim, standing in prayer, asks Allah for something, and He will grant it to him,” while gesturing with his hand to indicate its brevity. Therefore, Muslims are encouraged to exert themselves throughout the day, imploring Allah for success in achieving both this hour and any other matters that please Him, as Allah does not forsake the faithful who call upon Him with sincerity and belief.
The Virtue of Friday
Friday is regarded as the best of days, substantiated by the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): “The best day on 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 be established except on Friday” (reported by Muslim in his Sahih). Furthermore, he said: “Of your best days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he passed away, on it the trumpet will be blown, and on it the resurrection will take place. Frequently send blessings upon me during it, for your blessings are presented to me.” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, how can our blessings be presented to you when you have decomposed?” He responded, “Indeed, Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the prophets” (reported by Abu Dawood, al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah, and others, authenticated by Sheikh Al-Albani).
The established superiority of Friday encompasses both the time before and after the prayer. Additionally, Friday is distinguished by other notable aspects, such as the performance of the Friday prayer and the presence of the hour of response. Allah, the Glorified and Exalted, has favored certain days over others, just as He has preferred certain months and people, and His wisdom in this is beyond comprehension, as He cannot be questioned about what He does, while they will be questioned.
Traditions of Friday
- It is recommended to send abundant blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He said: “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 resurrection will take place. Therefore, increase your blessings upon me, for your blessings are presented to me” (authenticated by Al-Albani). It is noted in the book “Awn Al-Ma’bud” that Friday is distinguished as the leader of days, and the Chosen One is the leader of mankind, hence the emphasis on sending blessings during this day carries a virtue unmatched by others. Furthermore, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “An angel came to me and said: O Muhammad, do you not wish to know that whenever anyone from your nation sends blessings upon you, I send blessings upon them tenfold?” I replied, “Indeed, O my Lord” (authenticated by Al-Albani).
- The practice of performing Ghusl (ritual washing), applying perfume, wearing the best clothes, using a miswak (tooth-stick), and arriving early for the prayer is encouraged. Salman Al-Farsi (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “If a man performs Ghusl on Friday, purifies himself as best he can, applies perfume, and then proceeds to the mosque without separating two people, praying whatever has been ordained for him, and listens intently to the Imam when he speaks, then he will be forgiven his sins between this Friday and the next” (reported by Al-Bukhari). In another narration: “As long as he avoids major sins”. The Prophet (peace be upon him) further highlighted the significant merits of those who approach the mosque at different times, indicating the respective rewards for each hour.
- Reciting Surah Al-Kahf: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the heavens, illuminating his path on the Day of Judgment, and he will be forgiven for the sins occurring between two Fridays” (reported by Abu Bakr Ibn Mardawayh in his tafsir with a credible chain). He also mentioned: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on the night of Friday, a light will shine for him from between him and the Sacred House” (authenticated by Al-Albani).
- Seeking the hour of response and increasing one’s supplications: Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioned Friday, saying: “There is an hour on it wherein no servant stands in prayer asking Allah for something, except that He will grant it to him” (reported by Bukhari and Muslim).
Prohibitions on Friday
- Common Errors of the Worshippers:
- Neglecting or underestimating the importance of congregational Friday prayers. The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned: “Let some of you refrain from abandoning the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will indeed be among the heedless” (reported by Muslim).
- Failing to mentally prepare for the Friday prayers, treating it as a mere routine. The intention is essential for the validity of Friday prayer and other acts of worship, as stated by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Indeed, actions are judged by intentions” (reported by Bukhari).
- Disregarding the importance of listening to the Friday sermon and arriving late, even during the prayer.
- Engaging in buying and selling after the call to prayer on Friday. Allah Almighty declared: “O you who have believed, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on the day of Friday, ask for the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you if you only knew” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 9).
- Standing in place of another person who is seated, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) advised: “Do not let one of you stand in place of his brother on Friday, and then return to his seat” (reported by Muslim).
- Crossing in front of those praying, separating two individuals sitting together, causing discomfort to others, or making their experience difficult.
- Speaking loudly or reading in a manner that disrupts others praying or reciting the Quran.
- Leaving the mosque after the call to prayer without a valid reason.
- Being distracted from the sermon and failing to listen attentively to the speaker.
- Excessive movement during prayers, hastily leaving after the Imam’s completion, walking in front of worshippers, and pushing to exit without engaging in permissible remembrances after the prayer.
- Common Errors of the Khateeb (the person delivering the sermon):
- Lengthy sermons with brief prayers. Ammar reported that he heard the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) say: “The length of a man’s prayer and the brevity of his sermon is a sign of his understanding. Therefore, lengthen the prayer and shorten the sermon, for eloquence is magic” (reported by Muslim). The adjustment should align with the needs and circumstances of the audience.
- Insufficient preparation for the sermon and choosing topics that do not reflect the needs of the community.
- Common mistakes in grammar by some speakers during their sermons.
- Citing weak or fabricated hadiths without clarification during their sermons.
- Some khateebs limiting their second sermon to only du’a (supplication) and making this a routine practice.
- Neglecting to reference the Quran during the sermon, which contradicts the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him).