WHY FRIDAY IS THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK

The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day of congregation, (Foto: On Islam)
The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day of congregation, (Foto: On Islam

by: Aisha Stacey*

 Friday is a very important day for Muslims. It is more significant and more beneficial than any other day of the week.

It is the day that Muslims gather together to pray in congregation. Directly before the prayer they listen to a lecture designed to empower them with valuable knowledge about God, and the religion of Islam.

It is a blessed day that has been designated as such by God, Almighty; no other day of the week shares its virtues.

From the traditions of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, we learn thatA believer’s entire life is one of worship; even celebrations are conducted as worship.  While there is no special place or special time to worship God, there are moments, days, or times that God has made more superior; Friday is one of those times.

“The best day in the sight of God is Friday, the day of congregation”. (Al-Bayhaqi)

Congregational prayers (obligatory for men) are one of the most strongly emphasized duties in Islam.  It is a time when Muslims come together to worship One God, and  find strength and comfort by standing shoulder to shoulder and reaffirming their faith and devotion to Him.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

Oh, you who believe! when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading; that is better for you, if you know.(QS:Jumaah:9)

In many predominantly Muslim countries Friday is a weekly holiday, sometimes combined with either Thursday or Saturday. However there is no mandatory closing of businesses except during the time of the congregational prayer.  In western countries many Muslims try to take their lunch break during the time for prayer, usually in the very early afternoon.

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Prophet Muhammad told his followers that:

“The five daily prayers, and from one Friday prayer till the next, serves as an expiation for whatever sins have been committed between them, provided one does not commit any major sin.” ( HR. Sahih Muslim)

It is important that a Muslim not neglect Friday Prayer due to work, study, or other worldly matters.  Believers should make attending this prayer a priority since ignoring it three times in a row, with no valid reason, will cause a believer to stray from the straight path.

While it is only men who are obliged to attend the Friday congregational prayer there are also many recommended acts that can be performed by men, women or children during this day.  These acts include, taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, saying numerous supplications to God, sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad, and reading Chapter 18 of the Quran, which is entitled ‘The Cave’.

Prophet Muhammad, (Peace be upon him), said,

“There is no day more virtuous than Friday.  In it there is an hour in which no one will pray to God except that God will hear his prayer”. (HR. Al-Tirmidhi)

“Friday consists of twelve hours, one of which is the hour where supplications are granted for believers.  This hour is sought during the last hour after Asr (the third prayer in the day).” ( HR. Abu Dawoud, Al-Nisa’i)

“Whoever  recites ‘The Cave’ (Chapter 18 of the Qur’an) on Friday, God will give him a light to the next Friday.”  (Al-Bayhaqi)

“The best day on which the sun rises is Friday.  It is the day Adam was created.  It is the day when Adam entered the Heavenly Gardens, the day when he was expelled from it and also the day he died.  Friday is the day on which the Day of Resurrection will take place.” (Sahih Muslim)

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Friday is also the day on which one of the greatest verses in the Quran was revealed:

حُرِّمَتْ عَلَيْكُمُ الْمَيْتَةُ وَالدَّمُ وَلَحْمُ الْخِنْزِيرِ وَمَا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللَّهِ بِهِ وَالْمُنْخَنِقَةُ وَالْمَوْقُوذَةُ وَالْمُتَرَدِّيَةُ وَالنَّطِيحَةُ وَمَا أَكَلَ السَّبُعُ إِلَّا مَا ذَكَّيْتُمْ وَمَا ذُبِحَ عَلَى النُّصُبِ وَأَنْ تَسْتَقْسِمُوا بِالْأَزْلَامِ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ فِسْقٌ ۗ الْيَوْمَ يَئِسَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنْ دِينِكُمْ فَلَا تَخْشَوْهُمْ وَاخْشَوْنِ ۚ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا ۚ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ فِي مَخْمَصَةٍ غَيْرَ مُتَجَانِفٍ لِإِثْمٍ ۙ فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

 Forbidden to you is that which dies of itself, and blood, and flesh of swine, and that on which any other name than that of Allah has been invoked, and the strangled (animal) and that beaten to death, and that killed by a fall and that killed by being smitten with the horn, and that which wild beasts have eaten, except what you slaughter, and what is sacrificed on stones set up (for idols) and that you divide by the arrows; that is a transgression. This day have those who disbelieve despaired of your religion, so fear them not, and fear Me. This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor on you and chosen for you Islam as a religion; but whoever is compelled by hunger, not inclining willfully to sin, then surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful (QS:Maidah:3,

A story from the life of the second Caliph Omar, illustrates the significance of Friday. A learned person from among the Jews said to Omar ibn Al-Khattab

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– “In the Quran you people read a certain verse; if that verse had been revealed to us, we would have celebrated that day annually.”

– Omar asked, “Which verse is that?”

– The man replied, “This day, I have perfected your religion for you”.

– Omar then said, “Verily I remember the day and the place where this verse was revealed. It was already a double celebration for us. Firstly it was Friday – a day of Eid (celebration) for all Muslims and secondly, it was the day of Arafat – the most important day of the Hajj.” Omar further stated that this verse was revealed after Asr (afternoon prayer) while Prophet Muhammad was sitting on his camel.

Friday is a special day; the congregational prayer performed on this day holds special significance in the life of a Muslim. This is well noted and discussed by Islamic scholars both past and present. Thirteenth century Islamic scholar Ibn Taymiyyah said: “The most excellent day of the week is Friday according to the consensus of scholars”, and his student Ibnul-Qayyim mentions 32 special characteristics of Friday in his book Zad Al-Ma’ad.

Prophet Muhammad said:

“Verily, this is the Eid day (day of celebration) that God has prescribed for the Muslims” (Ibn Majah)

Believers would be wise to take advantage of the blessings God sends down to His slaves on Friday.  This is a day of congregation, a day of celebration and a day of contemplation and supplication. (T/Imt/R04)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)

This article quoted from onIslam.net