Friday – The Best Day of
the Week
الجمعة - أفضل أيام الأسبوع
Friday is a very important day for Muslims. It is
more significant and more beneficial than any other day of the week. It
is the day that Muslims gather together to pray in congregation. Directly
before the prayer they listen to a lecture designed to empower them with
valuable knowledge about God, and the religion of Islam. It is a blessed
day that has been designated as such by God, Almighty; no other day of the week
shares its virtues.
A believer’s entire life is one of worship; even
celebrations are conducted as worship. While there is no special place or
special time to worship God, there are moments, days, or times that God has
made more superior; Friday is one of those times.
From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, may God
praise him, we learn that “The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day
of congregation”. [1] Congregational prayers (obligatory for men) are one of
the most strongly emphasized duties in Islam. It is a time when Muslims
come together to worship One God, and find strength and comfort by
standing shoulder to shoulder and reaffirming their faith and devotion to Him.
“O you who believe! When the call to prayer is proclaimed on Friday
hasten earnestly to the remembrance of God, and leave aside business.
That is best for you if you but knew.” (Quran 62:9)
In many predominantly Muslim countries Friday is a
weekly holiday, sometimes combined with either Thursday or Saturday.
However there is no mandatory closing of businesses except during the time of
the congregational prayer. In western countries many Muslims try to take
their lunch break during the time for prayer, usually in the very early
afternoon.
Prophet Muhammad told his followers that “The
five daily prayers, and from one Friday prayer till the next, serves as an
expiation for whatever sins have been committed between them, provided one does
not commit any major sin.” [2]
It is important that a Muslim not neglect Friday
Prayer due to work, study, or other worldly matters. Believers should
make attending this prayer a priority since ignoring it three times in a
row, with no valid reason, will cause a believer to stray from the
straight path.
While it is only men who are obliged to attend the
Friday congregational prayer there are also many recommended acts that can be
performed by men, women or children during this day. These acts include,
taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, saying numerous supplications to God,
sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, and reading Chapter 18 of the Quran,
which is entitled ‘The Cave’.
Prophet Muhammad, may God praise him, said, “There is
no day more virtuous than Friday. In it there is an hour in which no one
will pray to God except that God will hear his prayer”. [3]
"Friday consists of twelve hours, one of which is
the hour where supplications are granted for believers. This hour is
sought during the last hour after Asr (the third prayer in the day). [4]"
"Whoever recites ‘The Cave’ on Friday, God will
give him a light to the next Friday." [5]
"The best day on which the sun rises is
Friday. It is the day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam
entered the Heavenly Gardens, the day when he was expelled from it and also the
day he died. Friday is the day on which the Day of Resurrection will take
place.” [6]
Friday is also the day on which one of the greatest
verses in the Quran was revealed.
“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor
upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” (Quran 5:3)
A story from the life of the second Caliph Omar,
illustrates the significance of Friday. A learned person from among
the Jews said to Omar Ibn Al Khattab “In the Quran you people read a certain
verse; if that verse had been revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day
annually.” Omar asked, “Which verse is that?” The man replied, “This
day, I have perfected your religion for you’. Omar then said, “Verily
I remember the day and the place where this verse was revealed. It
was already a double celebration for us. Firstly it was Friday-a day of
Eid (celebration) for all Muslims and secondly, it was the day of Arafat – the
most important day of the Hajj.” Omar further stated that this verse was
revealed after Asr (afternoon prayer) while Prophet Muhammad was sitting on his
camel.
Friday is a special day; the congregational prayer
performed on this day holds special significance in the life of a Muslim.
This is well noted and discussed by Islamic scholars both past and
present. Thirteenth century Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The most
excellent day of the week is Friday according to the consensus of scholars” [7] and his student Ibnul -Qayyim mentions 32 special
characteristics of Friday in his book Zad Al- Ma’ad. Prophet
Muhammad said “Verily, this is the Eid day (day of celebration) that God has
prescribed for the Muslims” [8].
Believers would be wise to take advantage of the blessings God sends down to
His slaves on Friday. This is a day of congregation, a day of celebration
and a day of contemplation and supplication.
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