Friday is a very important day for Muslims. He is considered more significant and pious than any other in the week.
On this day, Muslims gather in mosques for prayer together. Immediately before the prayer, a sermon must be read to provide valuable knowledge about God and the religion of Islam.
What is the name of Muslim Friday
It is believed that the name of the holiday, Juma, comes from the Arabic "jamaa" - "collect":
This day is called the word "juma" because in Arabic it refers to a gathering of people. Before Islam, during the period of "jahiliya" (the period of pre-Islamic ignorance), this day the Arabs called the word "Aruba" (the book "Tahrir al-phase tanbih").
According to one version, this is due to the fact that on Friday, believers gather in mosques to perform collective prayer. It is also believed that on this day Allah gathered together on the land of Adam and Hawa (Eve) and the presence of numerous benefits and virtues was noted.
Meaning in islam
Muslim Friday is the sixth day of the week. In Islam, it has received special significance in comparison with other days of the week. Every Friday, a prayer is read, for which a special time is given. The imams of all mosques read a sermon on a separate topic each Juma.
From various ahaditas (records of the words and actions of the Prophet) it is known that the Prophet Muhammad celebrated this day, and he declared Juma as a weekly holiday for Muslims. He usually wore clean and new (washed) clothes, bathed, and used incense specially for this day.
Main day of the week
Friday for Muslims is considered the "mother" of all days. According to Muslim theologians, only that believer will receive blessings and will be worthy of the benefits of this day, who are waiting for him with anxiety and impatience. But the casual will be a careless person who is little interested in this and who "does not even know in the morning what day he woke up."
Blessed Friday among Muslims is considered the most beneficent part of the week. It consists of twelve hours, one of which is the hour when God answers all the prayers of believers.
Friday prayer
Friday for Muslims is considered the most perfect for prayer.
Prayer on this day (juma namaz) is one of the most pronounced responsibilities in Islam. The coming of Friday for Muslims means that the time has come when all believers come together to worship their God, gain strength and confirm their faith.
In many Muslim countries, this day is a day off. However, jobs do not have to be closed on Friday, except during prayer in the community. In Western countries, many Muslims are trying to take a break for the time of prayer.
Friday prayer is exactly like the rituals performed during the rest of the week, except that on Friday the imam gives a two-part sermon known as hutba, with a pause between the two parts to give time for personal prayer, or dua. One whom the community considers the most educated person in matters of religion, can serve as an imam, because in Islam there is no official "clergy". The Imam usually reads and explains the verses of the Qur'an related to community issues, and encourages the congregation to remember their obligations to God and each other, giving advice on how a true Muslim should behave in everyday life.
Conditions for Friday Prayer
It is important that a Muslim does not neglect it because of work, study, or other worldly affairs. Believers should definitely take part in this prayer; ignoring it three times in a row without good reason will force the believer to deviate from the righteous path.
Although attending Friday prayers is mandatory, there are several categories of Muslims for which this may be optional:
- women are allowed to perform such prayers at home;
- minors may also not attend juma prayer;
- travelers (according to Sharia, these are people who are more than 87 km away from home for a period not exceeding 15 days);
- physically and mentally ill people also have the right not to be present.
Friday's merits
Among the main advantages of this day are the following:
- On Friday, Allah created Adam.
- Adam was sent to earth that day as his viceroy.
- Adam died on Friday.
- On Friday there is a blessed hour during which a person is given everything that is lawful and good for Allah, for which he prays.
- The blessed hour on Friday is such that Duas answered and accepted.
- The day of kitamata (resurrection) will be on Friday.
Mandatory actions on this day
Besides the obligatory attendance of prayer, there is a whole series of actions - what Muslims do on Friday. And this applies to everyone, not only men, but also women and children.
The following are some important things to do on Friday for all Muslims:
- The believer must complete ablution (ghusl).
- A Muslim must wear his best, cleanest clothing before going to the mosque.
- Use mivask (brush for brushing teeth from branches).
- Use incense before going to the mosque. Since this day is not like other ordinary days, it is necessary to observe complete cleanliness, except for washing the whole body. It is necessary to have an overall pleasant appearance, because an unpleasant smell can create problems for other people during prayer.
- The path to the mosque should be walked, as this leads to blessings and forgiveness of sins:
Allah made the feet of those people whose dust covered in the path of the Lord forbidden for Hellfire (Tirmidhi)
- To come to the mosque in advance, before the sermon begins, since it is believed that angels are standing at the doors of each mosque that day, writing down the names of everyone who came for Friday prayers. Early appearance equates to the sacrifice of a camel.
- You should sit as close to the imam as possible, trying to benefit from his sermon.
- Hutbu (sermon) must be listened very carefully.
- On Friday, the chapter 18 of the Qur'an, called the Cave, is to be read:
Whoever reads the Surah “Cave” on Friday, that light will illuminate between two Fridays! (al-Hakim 2: 399, al-Baykhakyi 3: 249)
It is recommended to prepare for Juma from Thursday evening. In this case, a person will receive on Friday the greatest benefit for himself.
Differences Friday from other days
On the day of Juma, many blessings are sent to believers, the most important of which is forgiveness. Allah forgives all the sins that the believer committed between two Fridays, in the event that he did not commit cabaret (great sins).
This day coincides with the day in Paradise, which is called al-Mazid (addition, supplement). On this day, the inhabitants of Paradise can contemplate Allah.
For Muslims, Friday is a day of strengthening relations. Juma is considered a good reason to visit relatives, maintain family ties, and develop family relationships.
Thanks to the Friday prayer, you can protect yourself from the fire of hell.
It is believed that a person who died on Friday will avoid posthumous torment. Death on this day is considered a sign of grace. It also means that the life of a Muslim who died on this day was successfully completed.
Believers should visit the mosque on a festive day as early as possible. Such an early prayer allows you to receive a great reward from the Almighty. Early prayer disciplines and helps purify the soul.
On Juma’s day, sermons are usually quite short, and prayers long. On this holy day, the messenger of Allah praises the Almighty and speaks about the merits of the Friday day. After prayer, the believer must perform four rak'ahs at home (a full cycle of verbal expressions and movements during prayer).
History shows that Friday was a very important day for many nations, including in pre-Muslim cultures. She is still considered blessed in many religions, such as Hinduism. Thus, Friday is considered a special and important day from the very beginning of mankind.