https://www.khutbah.info/virtues-of-friday/ Friday is a great day. Allah Almighty has singled it out for his ummah (nation) and guided them to it. And it contains characteristics and virtues that are not found in other days. It is the best day as was indicated in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid: The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. [Muslim 854a]. This great Friday prayer is the greatest ritual that distinguishes this favorite day of Allah Almighty. And Allah Almighty has commanded to proceed to it in His Book saying:Al Juma’ (62) 9: O you who have believed, when [the athan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. And it is an obligation upon men who are sane, free, adult (postpubescent), capable and residents (not travelers). And whoever does not observe three Friday prayers without an excuse, his heart will be sealed as was indicated in a hadith. And the Prophet ﷺ considered burning the homes of the men who stayed away from the Friday prayer which indicates the extreme importance of Friday Prayer and its great status in the shariah. And due to its importance, the Prophet ﷺ called for a number of deeds to be performed before Friday Prayer in preparation for it and to have focus during it. Therefore, he commanded the ghusl (ritual bathing) for the Friday Prayer, applying perfume and oils and using the miswak. Because that calls for the presence, focus and humility of the heart during the khutbah and prayer. For good scents bring happiness to the hearts and prepares the souls for listening. It was related in the hadith narrated by Abu Saeed Al Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إِنَّ الْحَمْدَ لِلَّهِ ,نَحْمَدُهُ ,وَنَسْتَعِينُهُ وَنَسْتَغْفِرُهُ , وَنَعُوذُ بِاللهِ مِنْ شُرُورِ أَنْفُسِنَا وَمِنْ سَيِّئَاتِ أَعْمَالِنَا ,مَنْ يَهْدِهِ اللهُ فَلَا مُضِلَّ لَهُ , وَمَنْ يُضْلِلْ فَلَا هَادِيَ لَهُ , وَأَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ
Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of our selves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
يَا أَيُّهَا الّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلَا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلَّا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ – آل عمران:102
Al Imran 102 : O you who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.
Oh people:
Friday is a great day. Allah Almighty has singled it out for his ummah (nation) and guided them to it. And it contains characteristics and virtues that are not found in other days. It is the best day as was indicated in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid:
خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ عليه الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ
The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. [Muslim 854a]
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ الله وَذَرُوا البَيْعَ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ-الجمعة: 9
This great Friday prayer is the greatest ritual that distinguishes this favorite day of Allah Almighty. And Allah Almighty has commanded to proceed to it in His Book saying:
Al Juma’ (62) 9: O you who have believed, when [the athan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.
And it is an obligation upon men who are sane, free, adult (postpubescent), capable and residents (not travelers). And whoever does not observe three Friday prayers without an excuse, his heart will be sealed as was indicated in a hadith. And the Prophet ﷺ considered burning the homes of the men who stayed away from the Friday prayer which indicates the extreme importance of Friday Prayer and its great status in the shariah.
And due to its importance, the Prophet ﷺ called for a number of deeds to be performed before Friday Prayer in preparation for it and to have focus during it. Therefore, he commanded the ghusl (ritual bathing) for the Friday Prayer, applying perfume and oils and using the miswak. Because that calls for the presence, focus and humility of the heart during the khutbah and prayer. For good scents bring happiness to the hearts and prepares the souls for listening. It was related in the hadith narrated by Abu Saeed Al Khudree (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
غُسْلُ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ على كلِ مُحْتَلِمٍ, وَسِوَاكٌ, وَيَمَسُّ من الطِّيبِ ما قَدَرَ عليه
Ghusl (ritual bathing) should be performed on Friday by everyone who has reached the age of puberty, and using the siwak, and he should put on whatever he is able of perfume. [Muslim 846b]
And walking to Friday Prayer is superior to riding for what was related by Aws Athaqafee (may Allah be pleased with him) who heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺsay:
من غَسَّلَ يوم الْجُمُعَةِ وَاغْتَسَلَ, ثُمَّ بَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ, وَمَشَى ولم يَرْكَبْ, وَدَنَا من الْإِمَامِ فَاسْتَمَعَ ولم يَلْغُ, كان له بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ عَمَلُ سَنَةٍ, أَجْرُ صِيَامِهَا وَقِيَامِهَا
Whoever performs Ghusl on Friday, and bathes completely, and goes early, arriving early, and walks and does not ride, sits close to the Imam and listens attentively and does not engage in idle speech, there will be for him in every step the reward of a year of fasting and standing (in prayer). [Sunan Abu Dawud 345]
And the sunnah is to go as early as one can to the masjed and compete for the first row and being close to the Imam for what it contains of great reward. It was related in the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
من اغْتَسَلَ يوم الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بدنة, وَمَنْ رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً, وَمَنْ رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشًا أَقْرَنَ, وَمَنْ رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً, وَمَنْ رَاحَ في السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً , فإذا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ حَضَرَتْ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ
Whoever performs Ghusl (ritual bathing) as from Janabah (major impurity) on Friday, then comes (to the Masjid), it is as if he sacrificed a camel. Then the one who comes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow. Then the one who comes in the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a ram. Then the one who comes in the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a chicken. Then the one who comes in the fifth hour, it is as if he sacrificed an egg. Then when the Imam comes out, the angels attend to listen to the Khutbah. [Bukhari 881, Muslim 850a]
It is a great honor for the worshipers that the angels of the Most Merciful stand with their record books at the doors of mosques on Friday. They have nothing to do but record the attendance of those present at the Friday prayer. And those arriving early to the mosques. What is the value and position of a person for him to have this great honor? Had it not been for the grace of Allah Almighty upon him with guidance, elevation, faith and honor?!
أَقُولُ مَا تَسْمَعُونَ وَأَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ لِي وَلَكُمْ مِنْ كُلِّ ذَنْبٍ فَاسْتَغْفِرُوهُ إِنَّهُ هُوَ الغَفُورُ الرَّحِيمُ
I say what you have heard and I seek forgiveness from Allah for me and you from every sin. So seek forgives from Him, Verily He is Oft-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.
Second Khutbah
الحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ, وَالصَّلَاةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ , وَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَاْ إِلَهَ إِلَّاْ اَللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاْشَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدَاً عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ
All praise is to Allah, and peace and blessings upon the Messenger of Allah, and I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Mohammad is His slave and messenger.
Oh Muslims:
Allah Almighty decreed on the day of Friday the most important events of creation and most prominent historical events. For on it, Adam was created. And on it, Adam entered paradise. And on it he was exited from it. And on it the Hour is established. It was narrated in Sahih Muslim that Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah said:
خيرُ يومٍ طلعت فيه الشمسُ يومُ الجمعة, فيه خُلقَ آدمُ, وفيه أُدخلَ الجنةَ, وفيه أُخرجَ منها” وفي رواية له: “ولا تقومُ الساعةُ إلا في يومِ الجمعة
The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam, peace be upon him, was created, on this day he was admitted to Paradise, and on this day he was taken out of it, and in another narration: And the Hour will not be established except on Friday. [Muslim 854b]
And if a Muslim performs the Friday prayer, he should feel the grace of Allah Almighty through obligating it, guiding him to it, helping him upon it and benefiting him from it. For how many deprived are there who are denied its benefits and reward? And no one knows the extent of Allah’s grace except those who miss it after having tasted it.
And after offering the Friday prayer obligated by their Lord, the Muslims disperse throughout the land to pursue their interests. Allah says:
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانْتَشِرُوا فِي الأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِنْ فَضْلِ الله وَاذْكُرُوا اللهَ كَثِيرًا لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ-الجمعة: 10
Al Juma’ah (62) 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.
All of these etiquettes and rulings that Allah, Glory be to Him, legislated for Friday prayer are evidence of its importance and place in the religion of Allah Almighty. And it is obligatory for a Muslim to venerate what the Shariah has magnified. And to give it the attention befitting it. Especially since these rulings and etiquettes carry great rewards for those observing them with sincerity to Allah Almighty and in accordance to the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ.
We ask Allah Almighty to teach us what benefits us, and to help us to act according to what He taught us. And to grant us sincerity. Indeed Allah is All Hearing, Answering.
هَذَا وَصَلُّوا وَسَلِّمُوا عَلَى نَبِيِّكُم كَمَا أَمَرَكُمْ بِذلِكَ رَبُّكُمْ , فَقَالَ
I conclude with this and send prayers of blessings and peace upon your Prophet as your Lord commanded:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ ۚ يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا صَلُّوا عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا
Al Ahzaab (33) 56: Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [ Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [ Allah to grant him] peace.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِنا فِيمَنْ هَدَيْتَ وَعَافِنا فِيمَنْ عَافَيْتَ وَتَوَلَّنا فِيمَنْ تَوَلَّيْتَ وَبَارِكْ لنا فِيمَا أَعْطَيْتَ وَقِنا شَرَّ مَا قَضَيْتَ إِنَّكَ تَقْضِي وَلاَ يُقْضَى عَلَيْكَ وَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَذِلُّ مَنْ وَالَيْتَ تَبَارَكْتَ رَبَّنَا وَتَعَالَيْتَ
O Allah, guide us with those whom You have guided, grant us well-being among those You have granted well-being, be an ally to us along with those whom You are an ally to, and bless what You have bestowed upon us, and save us from the evil of what You have decreed. For verily You decree and none can decree over You. He whom You support can never be humiliated. Glory is to You, our Lord, You are Blessed and Exalted.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الشَّرِّ كُلِّهِ عَاجِلِهِ وَآجِلِهِ مَا عَلِمْنا مِنْهُ وَمَا لَمْ نَعْلَمْ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِ مَا سَأَلَكَ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا عَاذَ بِهِ عَبْدُكَ وَنَبِيُّكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّا نَسْأَلُكَ الْجَنَّةَ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ النَّارِ وَمَا قَرَّبَ إِلَيْهَا مِنْ قَوْلٍ أَوْ عَمَلٍ وَنَسْأَلُكَ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ كُلَّ قَضَاءٍ قَضَيْتَهُ لَنا خَيْرًا
O Allah, We ask You for all that is good, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we seek refuge with You from all evil, in this world and in the Hereafter, what we know and what we do not know. O Allah, we ask You for the good that Your servant and Prophet has asked You for, and we seek refuge with You from the evil from which Your servant and Prophet sought refuge. O Allah, we ask You for Paradise and for that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed, and we seek refuge in You from Hell and from that which brings one closer to it, in word and deed. And we ask You to make every decree that You decree concerning us good
عِبَادَ اللّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَىٰ وَيَنْهَىٰ عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالْمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ
Servants of Allah. Indeed, Allah orders justice and good conduct and giving to relatives and forbids immorality and bad conduct and oppression. He admonishes you that perhaps you will be reminded.
اُذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ الْعَظِيمَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ واشْكُرُوهُ يَزِدْكُمْ واسْتَغْفِرُوهُ يَغْفِرْ لكُمْ واتّقُوهُ يَجْعَلْ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَمْرِكُمْ مَخْرَجًا وَأَقِمِ الصّلَاة
Remember Allah, the Great – He will remember you. Thank Him for His favors – He will increase you therein. And seek forgiveness from Him – He will forgive you. And be conscious of Him – He will provide you a way out of difficult matters. And, establish the prayer.
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