Friday Remembrance
One of the significant remembrances that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encouraged believers to frequently engage in on Fridays is invoking blessings upon him. While other forms of remembrance are also recommended, their observance on Friday is particularly emphasized due to its status as a blessed day, chosen by Allah (the Exalted) above all others. According to Imam Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him): “Know that everything said on days other than Friday is equally relevant on this day, yet the desirability of remembrance increases on Fridays.”
Examples of remembrances that should be particularly observed include the morning and evening supplications, the praises of Allah, the pronouncement of His oneness, seeking forgiveness, and more. Below are some highlighted remembrances along with their virtues:
- Sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
It is highly encouraged to increase blessings upon the Prophet on Fridays in any formulation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “The best of your days is Friday; therefore, increase your prayers upon me, 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 passed away?” He said, “Indeed, Allah has made the earth forbidden for the bodies of the prophets (peace be upon them).”
- The declaration of Allah’s oneness (Tahlil)
As the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned: “The best remembrance is ‘There is no deity but Allah’.”
- Glorifying Allah and praising Him (Subhanallah wa bihamdi, Subhanallah al-Azim)
The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: “Two phrases are light on the tongue, heavy on the scales, and beloved to the Most Merciful: ‘Glory be to Allah, the Most Great’, and ‘Glory be to Allah and praise Him’.”
- Reciting ‘Subhanallah wa bihamdi’ (one hundred times)
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever says ‘Subhanallah wa bihamdi’ one hundred times in a day, his sins will be forgiven even if they are like the foam of the sea.”
- The declaration of ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’
He (peace be upon him) said: “Shall I not guide you to a phrase that is among the treasures of Paradise?” I said: “Yes.” He replied: “There is no power and no strength except with Allah.”
The Significance of Supplication on Friday
It is essential for Muslims to engage in abundant supplication on Fridays, seeking from Allah whatever they wish, whether those are personal needs or supplications that are established in the traditions of the Prophet. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “On this day, there is an hour during which no Muslim servant stands and prays, asking Allah for something, except that He grants it to him.”
General Supplications for Friday
After acknowledging the importance of supplication on Friday, here are some general supplications that can be utilized on this day and beyond:
- “Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
- “O Lord, forgive my shortcomings, my ignorance, my excesses in all my affairs, and what You know better about me. O Allah, forgive my sins, my deliberate and foolish actions, my jesting, and all of it is within me.”
- “O Allah, rectify for me my religion, which is the safeguard of my affairs, and rectify for me my worldly life, in which is my livelihood, and rectify for me my Hereafter, in which is my return. Make life a source of increase for me in every good, and make death a relief for me from every evil.”
- “O Allah, we ask You on this day for a mercy from You that guides our hearts, purifies our deeds, inspires us with righteousness, improves our conditions, and alleviates our worries.”