More often than not, we get so caught up in the humdrum of everyday activities and deadlines, and perhaps, we get a little too lost in the excitement of the upcoming weekend that we tend to overlook the blessedness of Friday itself!
Friday, or Jumuah, is Allah’s favourite day of the week, concentrated with endless virtue and blessings. According to the Islamic Calendar, the day of Jumuah starts right after Maghrib on Thursday and concludes with the Maghrib prayer on Friday, hence Muslims are advised to commence their worship the night before Friday.
The significance of Jumuah becomes highly apparent in the following words by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): the best day during which the sun has risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It’s the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the Day of Judgment takes place. (Sahih Muslim)
So how can you make the most of this blessed day? Here are a few tips to make your Jumuah meaningful:
1- Wash up Properly
As Friday is no ordinary day, one must take extra care when it comes to cleanliness and preparation for it. On this day, every Muslim should take a bath, trim his/her nails, brush his/her teeth, and wear clean and freshly pressed clothes, along with a dash of nice perfume (non-alcoholic). All this is ideally to be practised before the Jumuah prayer in terms of the significance
The Prophet (Peace be upon him) is reported to have said: Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath. (Sahih Bukhari 2133)
2- Listen to the Sermon and Offer Friday Prayers in the Congregation
It is urged that all male individuals should finish up their worldly affairs a bit early on Friday and take some time off so that they can reach the Masjid well before time.
The Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) is the Sunnah and essential for all to hear. Its importance is illustrated in the following hadith by Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): On every Friday the angels take their stand at every gate of the mosque to write the names of the people chronologically (i.e. according to the time of their arrival for the Friday prayer) and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and get ready to listen to the sermon. (Al-Bukhari)
3- Make Abundant Du’as
According to Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him): On Friday, there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)
So make dua as much as you can on this day and avail this wonderful chance to get your Duas answered by the Almighty.
4- Recite Surah Al-Kahf
This chapter helps one expatiate from sins, gain blessings of Allah Almighty and prepare one’s self for the end of days. Hence, every Muslim individual must try getting into the habit of reciting chapter Al-Kahf regularly. Consciously take time during the day to recite chapter Al-Kahf because according to the Prophet’s (Peace be upon him) tradition: Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays. (Sunan Al-Kubra 5856)
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) is also reported to have said: If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah Al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal. (Sahih Muslim)
5- Send Blessings upon the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
Along with constant remembrance of Allah, increased blessings should also be sent upon our Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) on Friday, for it is stated in the Hadith: The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown; and on that day all of creation will swoon. So send a great deal of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me. (Abu Dawud)
Follow these tips and make that extra effort on every Jumuah. Look forward to Jumuah, be prepared for it in advance and go that extra mile to drape the cape of Allah’s blessings and rewards.
May Allah bestow all our fellow Muslims with the motivation to practice all this continuously!
