The Friday prayer (Jumu‘ah)
Friday is the best day of the week. The Jumu‘ah prayer in congregation is obligatory on every adult, healthy, resident (not travelling), free man, and takes the place of that day’s Dhuhr.
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ٩ فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُوا۟ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذْكُرُوا۟ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرًۭا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ ١٠Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena aamanoo izaa noodiya lis-Salaati miny yawmil Jumu'ati fas'aw ilaa zikril laahi wa zarul bai'; zaalikum khayrul lakum in kuntum ta'lamoon Fa-izaa qudiyatis Salaatu fantashiroo fil ardi wabtaghoo min fadlil laahi wazkurul laaha kaseeral la'allakum tuflihoon(9) O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. (10) And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.Surah Al-Jumu'ah 62:9-10
Rak‘ahs
| Sunnah before | Sermon | Fard (in congregation) | Sunnah after |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 rak‘ahs | The imam gives two sermons — listening in silence is obligatory | 2 rak‘ahs | 4 rak‘ahs (Hanafis add 2 more) |
Sunnahs and manners of Friday
- Taking a bath, wearing clean clothes and perfume. (Bukhari 883)
- Going early to the masjid — the earlier, the greater the reward. (Bukhari 881)
- Not speaking during the sermon; even telling your neighbour “be quiet” is idle talk. (Bukhari 934)
- Sending much salawat on the Prophet ﷺ, and making du‘a especially between Asr and Maghrib — there is an hour on Friday when du‘a is answered. (Bukhari 935)
- Reciting Surah Al-Kahf.
Whoever misses three Jumu‘ahs out of negligence, Allah seals his heart. (Abu Dawud 1052, Tirmidhi 500) Jumu‘ah is not obligatory on women, travellers or the sick — they pray Dhuhr — but if they attend it, it suffices.