Morals Pertaining to Friday and its Prayers

On friday, one is required to observe the following:

1) To prepare himself for Friday prayer since thursday and friday night by cleaning his body and washing clothes.

2) To perform Ghusl before going to mosque to offer Friday prayer.

3) To beautify himself by using Miswak to brush teeth, wearing perfume, shaving pubic hair, trimming moustache, applying olive oil on head and clipping nails.

4) To walk to the Masjid early to pray Friday prayers and to intend to observe itikaf in the Masjid.

5) To avoid stepping over other’s neck in the Masjid.

6) To avoid walking infront of those praying.

7) To pray in the first row.

8) To repeat the adhan behind the Muaddhin and to listen attentively to the Friday khutbah.

9) To offer 2,4 or 6 rakaat sunnah prayers after the Fardh prayer. This should not be done immediately after the fardh prayers. One should do so after talking to someone or leaving his place.

10) To stay in the Masjid till ‘Asr.

11) To seize the honourable hour in which Allah answers the call of His devout servants. Some scholars say it is the time between imam sitting down and till friday prayer finishes. Others say it is the last hour after the ‘Asr prayer. Abu Bakr al-Athram [Rahimahullah] says that the hour may move between the above mentioned times.

12) Sending Salawat excessively upon the Prophet[Sallallahu ‘alayhi wasallam].

13) To recite Surah al-Kahf.

[Mukhtasar Minhaj al Qasidin]

Etiquettes of a Muslim on Friday

In the Name of Allâh, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

Abu Ibrahim Majid Ali Hasan. Many people are unaware of what the etiquette of a Muslim on Friday should be and most are unaware of its significance. Most do not consider the Friday Prayer as obligatory, hence they miss it intentionally. Many people in Islamic countries are on holiday on this day, so then spend their time sleeping, or in other activities that cause them to neglect the Friday prayer altogether. They do not realise the significance of the Friday Prayer and its sermon, and they come to the mosque according to their own wishes and desire. Most of them are unaware of what is required from a Muslim before or after the Friday Prayer. It is with these concerns in mind that this book has been written.

Download the book here

Buying and Selling before Friday Prayer

Buying and Selling is prohibited from the time of first adhan of friday prayer. One should halt trading and business upon the hearing of first adhan of friday prayer as it is haram to do so.

يَـٰٓأَيُّہَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوۡمِ ٱلۡجُمُعَةِ فَٱسۡعَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ذِكۡرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُواْ ٱلۡبَيۡعَ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّكُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ

O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you if ye did but know. [Surah al-Jumua]

Cleanliness and washing

The Sunnah is to keep perfume and to use it regularly on oneself. Al-Bukhari narrated that Salman Al-Farsi said: the Prophet S.A.W.S. said

“Allah will forgive the sins of the past week for he who on Friday will take a bath, cleanse himself, put on his (regular) pefrume or any perfume available in house. Then, he goes out (to Jumu’ah prayer) and does not try to separate two friends. The he prays wherever he could and listen to the Imam.”

If the body became odorous a day or two before Friday, one should not wait till Friday to cleanse the body. We should was our bodies as soon as it require washing to keep ourselves clean and fresh.

To take a bath on Friday is specifically required since a large number of people will be gathering at mosques. However, if our body became dirty or we sweat on a particular day, then we should take a bath at the end of day or next morning. This is indicated by a Hadith narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Abu Huraira said, the Prophet S.A.W.S. said:

“It is the duty of every Muslim to have a bath once every week to wash his head and body.”