Understanding Friday Prayer: The Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad

10/18/20245 min read

a large building with a clock tower in the background
a large building with a clock tower in the background

Introduction to Friday Prayer (Jumu'ah)

Friday Prayer, or Jumu'ah, holds a special place in Islam as one of the most important weekly acts of worship. This congregational prayer, replacing the regular Dhuhr prayer on Fridays, symbolizes unity and collective devotion. It is a reminder of the strong bond shared by the Muslim community (Ummah) and the importance of gathering in worship. Both the Qur’an and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) emphasize its significance.

In the Qur’an, Allah commands believers to leave all business and trade upon hearing the call to Jumu'ah, as mentioned in Surah Al-Jumu'ah (62:9). This instruction highlights the importance of attending Friday Prayer and its central role in a Muslim’s weekly life. The Prophet (peace be upon him) further illustrated the spiritual rewards of attending Jumu'ah, stating that it offers forgiveness for the sins committed between one Friday and the next, in addition to fulfilling a key religious obligation.

Unlike daily prayers, which can be performed individually, Jumu'ah is a collective act of worship. It begins with a sermon (khutbah) delivered by the Imam, followed by a two-unit (rak'ahs) prayer performed in congregation. While it is obligatory for adult Muslim men to attend, women are encouraged to participate, though it is not mandatory. This balance of obligation and encouragement reflects the inclusivity and flexibility within Islamic teachings, respecting individual circumstances while promoting communal worship.

In essence, Friday Prayer serves as a focal point in the weekly Islamic calendar. It fosters a sense of belonging among Muslims, encourages reflection on faith, and provides an avenue for communal spirituality that distinguishes it from regular daily prayers.

1- Structure of the Friday Prayer According to the Sunnah

The Friday Prayer follows a structure established by the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and consists of two essential parts: the khutbah (sermon) and the two rak'ahs (units of prayer). Scholars across the four schools of Islamic law agree that the khutbah is a necessary component for the validity of the Friday Prayer. Allah commands:

"O you who believe! When the call is made for the prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade" (Surah Al-Jumu'ah, 62:9).

This verse emphasizes the priority of the khutbah as an act of worship and remembrance of Allah. Some scholars explain that the khutbah serves as a replacement for two of the four rak'ahs normally performed during Dhuhr prayer.

The khutbah should include praising Allah, reciting the Shahada (declaration of faith), and advising the congregation with wisdom and reminders of righteousness. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would often include verses from the Qur’an in his sermons, encouraging good and warning against evil.

Moreover, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) instructed the congregation to remain silent and attentive during the khutbah, stating:

"When the Imam is delivering the khutbah, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, you have committed an error." (Sahih Bukhari)

Those who become distracted during the khutbah lose the reward of Jumu'ah, as narrated in the Hadith:

"Whoever plays with pebbles during the khutbah will have no (reward for) the Friday Prayer." (Sahih Muslim)

After the khutbah, the Imam leads the congregation in two units of prayer (rak'ahs), completing the Friday Prayer.

Conditions for the Imam Delivering the Khutbah

  • Intention (Niyyah): The Imam must have the correct intention of delivering a khutbah that fulfills the obligation for Jumu'ah. This aligns with the principle that "actions are judged by intentions."

  • Timing: The Khutbah must take place after the time for the Friday prayer has entered (typically after Dhuhr), and it must precede the actual prayer. The sermon and the prayer should be consecutive, with no long interruptions in between.

  • Content of the Khutbah: The sermon must include essential elements such as:

    • Praise of Allah (Hamd) and gratitude.

    • Shahada (Testimony of Faith), affirming the Oneness of Allah and the prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him).

    • Sending blessings (Salat) upon Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

    • Exhortation and advice, encouraging the congregation to follow Islamic teachings and avoid wrongdoing.

    • Recitation of at least one verse from the Qur'an to emphasize religious principles.

    • In the second Khutbah, it is Sunnah to make dua (supplication)

  • Proper Delivery:

    • The Khutbah must be delivered out loud so the congregation can hear it clearly. This is essential as the purpose is to educate and remind the attendees.

    • The Imam must stand while delivering the Khutbah, and it is Sunnah to sit briefly between the two parts of the sermon.

    • It is recommended that the Khutbah not be excessively long. It should be shorter than the actual prayer, focusing on concise, meaningful advice.

  • Purity and Attire: The Imam must be in a state of ritual purity (Wudu) and should wear clean, dignified clothes, reflecting respect for the occasion.

  • Facing the Congregation: The Imam should face the people during the Khutbah.

  • Avoid Distractions: The Imam must not allow personal distractions or irrelevant topics to dominate the sermon. He should avoid unnecessary anecdotes that may detract from the focus of the message.

  • Relevance and Accessibility: The Khutbah should address the specific needs of the congregation, offering advice and reminders that are both spiritually beneficial and contextually relevant. The Imam should avoid overly complex or irrelevant issues that the congregation may not understand or benefit from.

  • No Interruptions or Engagement with the Congregation: Once the Khutbah starts, the congregation should remain silent and attentive. The Imam should not engage in back-and-forth with individuals, as this can invalidate the focus and rewards of the Khutbah.

2- Etiquette for Attending Friday Prayer

Attending Jumu'ah is a highly significant act of worship, and observing the correct etiquettes enhances both individual and communal participation. Cleanliness is of utmost importance in Islam, and it is recommended that Muslims perform a full ablution (ghusl) before attending the mosque, ensuring they present themselves in a state of purity as emphasized in the Sunnah.

Wearing clean and modest clothing, ideally one’s best, reflects respect for the prayer and the congregation. Arriving early allows worshippers to prepare themselves mentally and spiritually, ensuring a calm and focused state of mind before the khutbah begins. Distractions, such as mobile phones, should be minimized to maintain attention on the Imam's words.

Greeting fellow worshippers with peace (Salam) fosters a welcoming and warm atmosphere, further strengthening the bonds of community. However, once the khutbah begins, it is essential to remain silent and attentive to preserve the sanctity of the prayer.

Performing voluntary (Sunnah) prayers before and after Jumu'ah is encouraged, as these additional acts of worship increase spiritual reward and reinforce the core obligation of Friday Prayer. Ultimately, Jumu'ah offers Muslims an opportunity to renew their connection with Allah, seek forgiveness, and strengthen ties within the Ummah.

References:

  1. Ibn Baz, https://binbaz.org.sa/fatwas/31480/%D9%85%D8%A7-%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B7-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A9#:~:text=%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%3A,%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A8%D9%8A%20%EF%B7%BA%D8%8C%20%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%B9%D8%B8%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B3%20%D9%88%D9%8A%D9%8F%D8%B0%D9%83%D8%B1%D9%87%D9%85.

  2. Seek Guidance, the Global Islamic Academy, https://seekersguidance.org/answers/hanafi-fiqh/the-rulings-related-to-friday-prayer/

  3. Islam QA, https://islamqa.info/ar/answers/115854/%D8%B4%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B7-%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%83%D8%A7%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%86-%D8%AE%D8%B7%D8%A8%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%B9%D8%A9

  4. Sahih Al-Bukhari

  5. Sahih Muslim