Salah al-Jumu'ah (Ritual Prayer on Friday)

Friday is the best and most blessed day of the week in the religion of Islam. (Sahih Muslim, Jumu’ah, 18).  This is a time when Muslims come together, socialize, and worship Allah (swt) in the spirit of unity. One of the things that makes this day valuable is the Salah al-Jumu'ah that every Muslim should perform in congregation. Allah (swt) points out the importance of this prayer, "O you who have believed,  when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade.  That is better for you, if you only knew." (Jumu’ah, 62/9).  Abandoning this salah without a valid excuse and disregarding its importance causes the person's heart to be sealed, making him one of the unwary.  (Sunan Ibn Majah, Iqamah as-salawat, 93; Sahih Muslim, Jumu’ah, 12)

The Friday Ritual Prayer is obligatory for all men who have reached puberty and who are without any excuses such as sickness, blindness, disability or fear, who are free and muqim, that is, not travelers. Although it is not obligatory, women and children are encouraged to perform this salah.  Salah al-Jumu'ah can be performed during the time of the Noon Ritual Prayer with at least four people, including the imam. 

A Muslim attending the Friday Ritual Prayer should, if possible, perform ghusl, clean his mouth, wear some perfume and go to the mosque to meet his Lord (swt) and his fellow Muslim brothers in a festive manner. (Sahih Muslim, Jumu’ah, 7; Muwatta’, Taharah, 32; Sahih Bukhari, Jumu’ah, 31) Prophet Muhammad (saw) gives the good news that anyone who performs ghusl, performs the Salah al-Jumu'ah and listens to the khutbah (sermon) silently, will have his ten-day sins forgiven.  (Sahih Muslim, Jumu’ah, 26)

Salah al-Jumu'ah consists of ten rak’ah in total: four first sunnah, two fardh and four final sunnah.  The khutbah, which is a part of the Friday Ritual Prayer, is a speech made by the imam with certain methods to the congregation after the first sunnah and before the fard. The khutbah, which is made up of praise to Allah (swt), exaltation, testimony, salawat, preaching and advice, consists of two parts. The sermons of the Messenger of Allah (saw) are medium-length speeches, generally consisting of verses and talking about current issues. (Sunan an-Nasai, Istisqa, 10; Sunan Abu Dawud, Salah, 221, 223; Sahih Muslim, Jumu’ah, 47)