The Sunnahs and Etiquettes of Friday
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and his companions.
Friday is a great day in Islam. Allah has singled it out with many virtues and made it the weekly Eid of the Muslims. On this day, the ummah gathers for prayer, remembrance, and the khutbah, and it carries Sunnahs and etiquettes that every Muslim should be eager to observe, seeking reward, blessing, and the proper honoring of this great symbol of Islam.
The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "The best day upon which the sun has risen is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he was admitted into Paradise, on it he was taken out of it, and the Hour will not be established except on Friday." Reported by Muslim.
This shows the greatness of Friday and that it is the best day of the week. It also carries special virtues that should move the Muslim to honor it, prepare for it, and fill it with the Sunnahs and etiquettes legislated by Allah.
Why is Friday such a special day?
The texts mention great virtues for this day, including:
Adam عليه السلام was created on it
he was admitted into Paradise on it
he was taken out of Paradise on it
the Hour will be established on it
it contains an hour in which supplication is answered
For this reason, a Muslim should care for Friday outwardly and inwardly and prepare for it in the way taught by the Shari'ah.
The Sunnahs and etiquettes of Friday
Friday is a day of worship, remembrance, and preparation. Great Sunnahs and etiquettes have been prescribed for it. Whoever preserves them gains much goodness, and whoever neglects them loses reward according to what they leave behind.
1. Ghusl, perfume, and wearing one's best clothes
Among the great Sunnahs of Friday is making ghusl before going to Jumu'ah prayer.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Ghusl on Friday is due upon every adult." Agreed upon.
Many scholars understood this as a very strong emphasis, especially for the one who has an odor or needs to remove what may harm others, while others held it upon its apparent obligation. In any case, ghusl is among the most emphasized Sunnahs of Friday, and a Muslim should not be careless about it.
It is also from the Sunnah on this day to wear one's best clothes, use perfume if one has it, and take care of cleanliness and appearance. This is part of honoring the symbols of Allah, respecting the masjid, and showing good manners toward the worshippers.
2. Going early to Jumu'ah
Going early to Friday prayer is one of the great Sunnahs for which tremendous reward has been mentioned.
Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه reported that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"Whoever makes ghusl on Friday like the ghusl of janabah and then goes in the first hour, it is as though he offered a camel in sacrifice. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as though he offered a cow. Whoever goes in the third hour, it is as though he offered a horned ram. Whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as though he offered a chicken. Whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as though he offered an egg. Then, when the imam comes out, the angels attend to listen to the reminder." Agreed upon.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم also said: "When Friday comes, at every door of the masjid, there are angels recording the first, then the next. Then, when the imam sits, they fold up the pages and come to listen to the reminder." Reported by Muslim.
These narrations clearly encourage going early and show that the reward of people differs according to how early they come to Jumu'ah.
Aws ibn Aws رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said:
"Whoever bathes on Friday and performs ghusl, goes early, arrives early, draws near to the imam, and does not engage in idle talk, he will have for every step the reward of a year's worth of fasting and prayer." Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, al-Nasa'i, and Ibn Majah, and classed as sound or good by a number of scholars.
This hadith adds even more encouragement toward washing early, going early to Jumu'ah, drawing near to the imam, and avoiding idle talk during the khutbah.
3. Walking to the masjid with calmness and drawing near to the imam
Among the important etiquettes is that a Muslim should go to the masjid with calmness and dignity, avoiding rush, distraction, and anything that takes away from the sanctity of this day.
If possible, it is recommended to walk to the masjid, because walking to acts of worship is a cause for increased reward.
4. Not separating between two people, not stepping over necks, and praying what one can before the khutbah
From the etiquettes of Friday is that a Muslim should not separate between two people, should not step over people's necks, should sit where the gathering ends, and should pray whatever voluntary prayer Allah enables him to pray before the khutbah.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "No man makes ghusl on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, applies oil from his oil or touches perfume from his house, then goes out and does not separate between two people, then prays what is written for him, then remains silent when the imam speaks, except that he will be forgiven for what was between that Friday and the next." Reported by al-Bukhari.
If a Muslim enters the masjid on Friday, he should pray whatever Allah has written for him before the imam sits on the minbar, or pray Tahiyyat al-Masjid if the imam has not yet begun the khutbah.
5. Tahiyyat al-Masjid, even while the imam is giving the khutbah
Jabir رضي الله عنه reported: "Sulaik al-Ghatafani came on Friday while the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم was delivering the khutbah, and he sat down. He said to him: O Sulaik, stand and pray two rak'ahs, and make them brief." Reported by Muslim.
6. Listening attentively to the khutbah and avoiding idle talk
Once the imam begins the khutbah, the Muslim must listen attentively and leave off speaking, fidgeting, and distracting himself.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "If you say to your companion on Friday, 'Be quiet,' while the imam is giving the khutbah, then you have engaged in idle talk." Agreed upon.
If even telling someone else to be quiet counts as idle talk in that situation, then ordinary conversation, phone use, and distraction are even more serious.
7. Praying after Jumu'ah
Among the Sunnahs after Jumu'ah prayer is to pray afterward.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "If one of you prays Jumu'ah, let him pray four after it." Reported by Muslim.
Scholars mentioned that the minimum Sunnah after Jumu'ah is two rak'ahs, while the more complete form is four, by combining the narrations reported on this issue.
8. Reading Surah al-Kahf
Among the well-known Sunnahs of Friday is reading Surah al-Kahf.
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri رضي الله عنه reported that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on Friday will have a light shining for him between the two Fridays." Reported by al-Hakim, and authenticated by a number of scholars.
A Muslim should therefore be keen to read it on the day of Friday or its night.
9. Sending abundant prayers upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم
Among the most recommended acts on Friday is sending abundant prayers and peace upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Indeed, among your best days is Friday, so send many prayers upon me on it, for your prayers are presented to me." Reported by Abu Dawud and others, and authenticated by a number of scholars.
This is a simple act of worship with great reward, and it is among the signs of love for the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and honoring his right.
10. Abundant supplication and seeking the hour of acceptance
On Friday, there is an hour in which no Muslim asks Allah for something good except that He gives it to him.
The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: "Indeed, on Friday, there is an hour that no Muslim coincides with while asking Allah for good except that He gives it to him." Reported by Muslim.
The scholars differed concerning its exact time, but among the strongest views is that it is the last hour after 'Asr, and it was also said that it is the time between the imam sitting and the end of the prayer.
Scholars mentioned that the most hopeful times are the period after 'Asr until sunset and the period from the imam's sitting until the prayer ends. Both views have evidence, so both should be taken seriously and filled with supplication.
Etiquettes that should be observed on Friday
Among the important etiquettes are:
trimming the nails and removing offensive odors when needed
not stepping over people's necks in the masjid
sitting where the gathering ends
not separating between two people without their permission
avoiding fiddling with carpets, clothing, or the phone during the khutbah
increasing in remembrance and supplication
Common mistakes on Friday
coming late to Jumu'ah without an excuse
neglecting ghusl while able to do it
using the phone during the khutbah
speaking during the khutbah
harming people by stepping over them or crowding them
being concerned only with outward appearance while neglecting worship and remembrance
How can a Muslim spend Friday in a practical way?
A beneficial Friday routine can include:
Making ghusl and preparing early.
Wearing clean clothes and using perfume.
Going early to the masjid.
Reading Surah al-Kahf.
Sending many prayers upon the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Listening attentively to the khutbah.
Increasing in supplication and seeking the hour of acceptance.
Frequently asked questions about Friday
Does Surah al-Kahf have to be read only before the prayer?
No. It may be read throughout the day of Friday, and according to many scholars, its night is included as well.
Is it permissible to speak during the khutbah if there is a need?
The basic ruling is that speaking during the khutbah is not allowed. The listener must remain silent and listen to the khatib, and there is a warning even concerning the mere statement, "Be quiet," while the imam is preaching. So a Muslim should not speak during the khutbah except in an unavoidable necessity that cannot be delayed.
What is the best time for supplication on Friday?
Among the most hopeful times are the last hour after 'Asr, and also the period from the imam's sitting until the end of the prayer according to a number of scholars.
Is merely attending the prayer enough without paying attention to the Sunnahs of Friday?
Jumu'ah is valid by attending the prayer itself, but a Muslim misses great goodness by neglecting the Sunnahs and etiquettes for which special reward has been mentioned.
Conclusion
Friday is a blessed day and a divine gift that returns every week. It contains many doors of goodness that deserve a Muslim's care and attention. Whoever is guided by Allah to honor this day outwardly and inwardly has been guided to much good.
So be keen on the Sunnahs and etiquettes of Friday, and use this day well in prayer, remembrance, supplication, and recitation of the Quran. Ask Allah to make you among the people of Friday who attain its blessing and reward.