FRIDAY PRAYER: THE WISDOM BEHIND IT AND THE EXHORTATION FOR THE PEOPLE TO ATTEND IT
All praise is due to Allah(swt) Who has guided us to Islam. Had He not guided us, we would never have been guided. I praise Him and thank Him(swt) for His sweet favors and hard afflictions. I further repent to Him and seek His forgiveness. I bear witness that there is no god worthy of worship except Alláh Alone having no partners. I also bear witness that Muhammad(pbuh) is His servant and Messenger, may the peace and blessings of Alláh(swt) be upon him, his family, his Companions, and everyone that follows His guidance until the Day of Reckoning.
O servants of Alláh! Fear Alláh(swt) and be aware of the fact that Islam has clarified and explained every matter in this life and the Hereafter by showing us their basics and details. One of the many advantages of Islam is that it made the Friday congregational prayer obligatory upon every Muslim except women, children, slaves, travelers, and sick people. This noble day and solemn occasion is said to be the best day of the week. Adam was created, placed in Paradise, and expelled from Paradise on a Friday. Judgement Day will begin on a Friday as well. Also, on Friday there is an hour during which if any Muslim asks Alláh(swt) for something while praying, his prayer will be answered. The nations before us were given the chance to choose this day as their sacred day – yet the Muslims were guided to choose it. So praise your Lord and fulfill on that Day what He has commanded you to fulfill. In regard to this, Alláh(swt) says:
“Come to the remembrance of Alláh [Jumu ‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salát (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing).”(62:9)
The meaning of aspiring for the remembrance of Alláh(swt) here is to be concerned about the Friday prayer and what it entails as well as to approach it with humility and tranquillity. Do not ignore it or be lazy in performing it lest it cause your hearts to be sealed after which you will never be happy. In this regard, the Prophet(pbuh) said:
“Some people should stop neglecting Friday prayers, or Alláh will seal their hearts, and they will thus be among the heedless ones.”
He(swt) also warned:
“Alláh will seal the heart of the man, who does not pray three Friday prayers out of negligence.”
O servants of Alláh! On this blessed day, Alláh(swt) has prescribed forms of worship that train and purify the soul, refine the faith, erase the sins, and strengthen the ties amongst you. The Messenger of Alláh(swt) said:
“lf a person takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself completely, applies oil or puts perfume if available at his home, and sets out for the Mosque, refrains from separating between two persons without their permission, prays what is prescribed for him and listens to the Imam attentively, his sins between that time and the next Friday will be forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari) A different narration states: “and also for three more days.”
The Messenger of Alláh(swt) also said:
“Taking a bath on Friday is mandatory upon every adult Muslim, so is using the Siwak (tooth stick). As for perfume, he puts it on if available.”
During the speech do not let anything divert your attention. Do not spoil the opportunity to learn something that will benefit you. Part of the benefit is that the Muslims are maintaining the practice of reminding and thus correcting one another so as to achieve the happiness of this life and the Hereafter. So listen carefully with your ears and hearts. Beware of talking while the Imam is delivering his speech.
The Prophet(pbuh) said:
“Whoever talks or plays with rocks on Friday while the Imam is delivering his speech has played frivolously and whoever plays frivolously shall have no Friday prayer.”
This, of course, nullifies the reward but not the action. The Prophet(pbuh) also said:
“Whoever speaks while the Imam is delivering his speech is like a donkey carrying books, and whoever tells him to listen, shall have no Friday prayer.”
Beware of forcing your way between two people, as when the Prophet(pbuh) saw someone doing so he told him:
“Sit down! You have come late and also harmed others.”
The harm stated in the Hadith is the violation of the Muslims’ dignity by forcing one’s way through the crowd and stepping over the shoulders of the Muslims. Allah(swt) says:
“O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salát (prayer) on Jumu ‘ah (the Friday prayer), come to the remembrance of Alláh [Jumu ‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salát (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know! Then when the (Jumu ‘ah) Salát (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Alláh (by working), and remember Alláh much, that you may be successful.” (62:9,10)
With this I conclude my speech and ask the Almighty Alláh(swt) to forgive all of our sins. So ask Him for forgiveness. Verily, He is the All-Forgiving, the All Merciful.
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