Allah (SWT) said:” O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on Jumu’ah (the Friday prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah (khutbah) and salat (prayer)and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did, but know! Then when the Jumu’ah is ended, you may disperse through the land, seek the bounty of Allah (by working), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.” (62:9-10).
The above verses tell us that Islam has clarified and explained every matter in this life and the Hereafter by showing us their basics and details. One of the many advantages of Islam is that it made the Friday congregational prayer obligatory upon every Muslim except women, children, slaves, travellers, and sick people.
This noble day and solemn occasion is said to be the best day of the week. Adam (AS) was created, placed in Paradise, and expelled from Paradise on Friday. Judgement Day will begin on Friday as well. Also, on Friday, there is an hour during which if any Muslim asks Allah (SWT) for something while praying, his prayer will be answered.
The meaning of aspiring for the remembrance of Allah here is to be concerned about the Friday prayer and what it entails, as well as to approach it with humility and tranquillity. Do not ignore it or be lazy in performing it lest it cause your hearts to be sealed, after which you will never be happy.
In this regard, the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:” People should stop neglecting Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will thus be among the heedless ones.” He also warned:” Allah will seal the heart of the man who does not pray three Friday prayers out of negligence.”
On this blessed day, Allah (SWT) has prescribed forms of worship that train and purify the soul, refine the faith, erase the sins, and strengthen the ties among Muslims. The Prophet said:” If a person takes a bath on Friday, purifies himself completely, applies oil or puts perfume if available at his home, and sets out for the mosque, refrains from separating between two persons without their permission, prays what is prescribed for him and listens to the imam attentively, his sins between that time and the next Friday will be forgiven.” (Bukhari).
During the speech, do not let anything divert your attention. Do not spoil the opportunity to learn something that will benefit you. Part of the benefit is that the Muslims maintain the practice of reminding and thus correcting one another so as to achieve the happiness of this life and the Hereafter.
So listen carefully with your ears and hearts. Beware of talking while the imam is delivering his speech. The Prophet (SAW) said:” Whoever talks or plays with rocks on Friday while the imam is delivering his speech has played frivolously and whoever plays frivolously shall have no Friday prayer.”
In another hadith, the Prophet said:” Whoever speaks while the imam is delivering his speech is like a donkey carrying books, and whoever tells him to listen, shall have no Friday prayer.”
Beware of forcing your way between two people, as when the Prophet (SAW) saw someone doing so, he told him:” Sit down! You have come late and also harmed others.”
Ahmad H. Sakr
The harm stated in the hadith is the violation of the Muslims’ dignity by forcing one’s way through the crowd and stepping over the shoulders of the Muslims.
May Allah (s.w.t.) forgive our sins and accept our Jumu’ah prayer. Wallahu a’lam.
