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"O
believers, when the call is proclaimed for the prayer on Friday, come to the
remembrance of Allah and leave off business, that is better for you if you but
did know." [Al-Jumuah, 62:9]
Purifying and
cleaning oneself
The
person intending to perform Salat al-Jumuah is highly encouraged to have ghusl
(full bath or shower). The majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the
ghusl for Salat a-Jumuah is recommended (sunnah) but not obligatory. The ghusl
is performed starting from the time of Fajr Prayer. Also, if a person performs
ghusl and then later invalidates his ablution, he need not repeat the ghusl.
Making ablution (wudhu) suffices. Furthermore, one ghusl may be used for
removing sexual defilement (janabah) and for Salat al-Jumuah.
Going early to the
masjid
There
is a great reward in going early to Salat al-Jumuah, beginning after sunrise.
By leaving for Salat al-Jumuah, one gets the reward of waiting for the Prayer,
making dhikr (remembering Allah) and voluntary prayers during that time. Abu
Umamah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam)
said, "The angels sit at the doors to the Masjids and with them are
scrolls in which they record the people [who come]. When the Imam appears, the
scrolls are rolled up." Abu Umamah was asked, "Does the one who comes
after the Imam still have a Friday Prayer?" he said, "Certainly, but
he is not one of those who is recorded [as coming early]." [Ahmad and
al-Tabarani]
Dressing well for
Salat al-Jumuah
This
is a special time that requires Muslims to appear in the best manner possible.
One should therefore put on his best attire for Salat al-Jumuah.
The
Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) said, "If one has the means, he
should buy two pieces of clothing, other than his work clothes or [everyday
clothing], to wear on Friday." [Abu Dawud]
Performing tahiyyat
al-Masjid
If
a person comes late to the Friday Prayer while the Imam is delivering the
khutbah, should he pray the two rak`ahs of tahiyyat al-Masjid (prayer of
greeting the mosque) and the sit or should he simply skip them? The strongest
opinion is to perform the tahiyyat al-Masjid based on the Hadith of the Prophet
(sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam): "If one of you comes to the Masjid, he
should pray two rak`ahs before he sits" [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. However,
tahiyyat al-Masjid is not required of the person giving the khutbah. Also, this
requirement is limited only to prayers offered in a Masjid.
- Walking to the Masjid whenever
feasible as there is a reward for every step taken to the Masjid.
- Avoiding stepping over people
to get to a particular spot in the Masjid.
- Avoiding dividing two people
who are sitting together.
- Not making someone stand and
taking his place.
- Not clasping one’s hands and
intertwining one’s fingers while waiting for the prayer.
- Sitting in the front rows and
close to the Imam whenever possible.
- Remaining quiet while the Imam
is delivering the khutbah. This actually includes listening to the Imam
and not playing with anything while the Imam is speaking.
- Going to the Masjid in a state
of calmness and not being hurried.
- Reciting surah al-Kahf (surah
18) as an authentic Hadith states: "For whoever recites surah al-Kahf
on Friday, it will be a light for him from that Friday to the next."
[Al-Bayahaqi and Al-Hakim] The surah could be read any time of the day.
Indeed,
Salat al-Jumuah is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam. The
Prophet (sallallahu `alaihi wa sallam) has described the wonderful blessings
and benefits that Allah has vouchsafed upon Muslims through this magnificent
act. Knowing how important this prayer is in Allah’s sight, Muslims must do
their best to perform it in the best way possible. They should strive and
sacrifice for the sake of this Prayer.
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