The Qur’an invokes the importance of Friday as a sacred day of worship in a chapter called “Al-Jumah,” meaning the day of congregation, which is also the word for Friday in Arabic.
Here, we will discuss why Friday is significant in Islam and provide evidence from the Quran and Sunnah:
1. Friday Prayer
The Friday prayer is offered in the congregation. It is offered in place of the Zuhr prayer. Each week on Friday, Muslims are required to take a bath, dress in their best clean clothes, wear perfume, and assemble in the mosque for Friday prayer.
It consists of a Khutbah(Sermon) and two short prayer cycles. The prayer begins with a call to worshipers, followed by the sermon, and ends with the prayer.
As a Muslim, it is essential to go to Friday prayer. You should try to go even if you have work, study, or other things to do.
But If you have a valid reason for being unable to attend Friday prayer, such as being sick or traveling, then you are not sinning.
However, if you skip Friday prayer without a valid reason, then you are sinning.
Allah says:
{يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡۤا اِذَا نُوۡدِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِنۡ يَّوۡمِ الۡجُمُعَةِ فَاسۡعَوۡا اِلٰى ذِكۡرِ اللّٰهِ وَذَرُوا الۡبَيۡعَ ؕ ذٰلِكُمۡ خَيۡرٌ لَّـكُمۡ اِنۡ كُنۡتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُوۡنَ}
(interpretation of the meaning) O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you, if only you knew.
[Quran; 62:9]
Although only men are obliged to attend the Friday congregational prayer, men, women, and children can participate in various acts during this day.
Both men and women can participate in various acts on Friday, such as bathing, wearing clean clothes, supplicating, sending blessings on Prophet Muhammad, and reading Surat Al-Kahf.
2. There is an Hour in Which the Supplication is Answered on Friday
It is proven in the Sunnah that on Friday there is an hour of response, during which no Muslim happens to ask Allah for good, but He will give it to him.
The scholars differed on when this hour is, and there are more than forty views, the soundest of which are two. The first view is that it is from when the imam sits down until the end of the prayer, and the second is after ‘Asr.
The latter is the more correct of the two views.
The most likely time is the last hour of the day on Friday, because of the reports narrated by Abu Dawood (1048) from Jaabir ibn ‘Abdullah, from the Messenger of Allah ( peace be upon him), that he said: “Friday is twelve [hours]. There is no Muslim who asks anything of Allah; may He be glorified and exalted, but Allah will grant it to him, so seek it out in the last hour after ‘Asr.”
Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.
3. The Day of Judgment Will Take Place on a Friday
Abu Huraira reported the messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, as saying:
The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created. On it he was made to enter Paradise, he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday.
[Sahih Muslim 854b]
Friday in Islam is a special day, but in this hadith, Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, mentions more events that make this day more special.
In this hadith, prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) clearly says that the Day of Judgment will be on a Friday. Which Friday? We can’t know. Allah Almighty knows Best.
4. Friday is the Name of a Surah (Surah Al-Jumu’ah)
This surah is named after the day “Friday ” (the assemblage). The main message of Surah Al-Jumu’ah is that Muslims should attend the Friday prayer and remember Allah often.
The surah also warns us against neglecting our religious duties and being distracted by worldly matters.
The surah begins by praising Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earth.
It then reminds us that Allah has sent prophets to all people, including the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who was sent to the Arabs.
The surah also talks about the importance of learning and seeking knowledge.
5. Friday is Eid Day for Muslims
Because Friday is similar to Eid for Muslims, it may explain why the Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged us not to fast on Fridays.
Instead, if you desire to fast on Friday for any reason, you should also fast on Thursday or Saturday:
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: I heard the Prophet, peace be upon him, say: “No one of you should fast on Friday, unless he fasts (a day) before it or after it.”
[Al-Bukhari, Muslim]
