The Friday Prayer: Salat al-Jumuah

The Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumuah) is a weekly congregational obligation for Muslim men. Allah commands: "O you who believe, when the call for prayer is made on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew" (Quran 62:9). The Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against neglecting it: "Whoever misses three Fridays out of negligence, Allah will set a seal upon his heart" (Sunan Abu Dawud). Jumuah is not merely a prayer but a weekly gathering that renews community bonds and spiritual awareness.

Conditions of Obligation

The scholars agree that Jumuah is obligatory upon every free, adult, sane, resident Muslim male who is able to attend. Women are not obligated to attend Jumuah but may do so and receive its reward. Travelers are exempt according to the majority, though the Shafi'i school encourages them to attend if conveniently possible. The sick, the elderly, and those with legitimate excuses are also exempt. The Hanafi school requires a minimum of three people besides the imam for a valid Jumuah, the Maliki school requires twelve, the Shafi'i school requires forty free resident adult males, and the Hanbali school requires forty as well. These numbers reflect different understandings of the reported practice of the Prophet.

The Khutbah (Sermon)

The Jumuah khutbah is a condition for the validity of the Friday prayer. It consists of two sermons with a brief sitting between them, delivered before the prayer. The khutbah must include: praise of Allah, salawat upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), a verse of the Quran, and an admonition to the congregation. The Hanafi school is the most lenient regarding the minimum content, while the Shafi'i school has the most detailed requirements. The khutbah should address the spiritual, moral, and community needs of the congregation. The Prophet (peace be upon him) kept his khutbahs concise and meaningful, saying: "The length of a man's prayer and the shortness of his khutbah is a sign of his understanding" (Sahih Muslim).

Etiquettes and Sunnah Acts

The Sunnah acts for Jumuah include: performing ghusl (ritual bath), wearing clean and good clothes, applying perfume, using the miswak, arriving early to the mosque, walking to the mosque, not stepping over people, not talking during the khutbah, and reciting Surah al-Kahf on that day. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on Friday will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays" (al-Hakim). There is also a special hour on Friday when supplications are answered, which many scholars identify as the last hour before Maghrib.