Abu Hurairah narrated that, the Prophet said: “The best day that the sun has risen upon is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he entered Paradise, and on it, he was expelled from it. And the Hour will not be established except on Friday.” (Jami At-Tirmidhi, Sahih)

It’s Friday again…and that means it is a break from the usual chores of the weekdays; for most of us. For those of us in the West, Friday is little different from other weekdays; we still have to join the morning rush hour on the way to work. Our Lunch hour is the few moments where we experience the joy of Friday, as we eagerly rush to the local mosque to catch the congregational prayer. Then, we are back to work to finish off the rest of the day. Nonetheless, we should strive to make our Fridays different by following the Sunnah of the Prophet and taking up those actions which we are required to do.

For muslims, Fridays are a weekly Eid, and usually implies a family get together. Or at least a lunch feast after the Jumu’ah prayers. But let’s rewind a bit to the start of the day. The day, as we know begins from Maghrib of the day before. The night comes before the day, so before Friday day, is Friday night. What the West would commonly call Thursday evening, in actuality is Friday evening….I hope you understand what I mean

-One should send salawaat upon the Prophet peace be upon him, for he taught us, “Among the best of your days is Friday; so supplicate Allah more often for me in it, for your supplications will be displayed to me.” He was asked: “O Messenger of Allah! How will our blessings be displayed to you when your decayed body will have mixed with the earth?” He replied, “Allah has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets.”

(Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1047; classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim in his comments on Sunan Abi Dawood, 4/273; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 925)

One is encouraged to send salutations upon the Prophet peace be upon him. Furthermore, one of the etiquettes of making duaa is to send salaawat on the Prophet, prior to invoking Allah. When one makes duaa for another in his absence, the angels pray for him saying ‘and likewise for you too.’ Sending Salawaat is a form of duaa, and so imagine that every time one repeats it, the angels make duaa for him. The angels are pure, they do not disobey Allah, nor commit sins which could obstruct duaa, they also have a high status, so ponder upon the fact that they will invoke Allah for you!

-One should perform ghusul, on this day in accordance with the Sunnah.

It was narrated that Salman said, “The Messenger of Allah said to me: ‘There is no man who purifies himself on Friday as he is commanded, then comes out of his house to the Friday prayer, and listens attentively until he finishes his prayer, but it will be an expiation for what came before it the week before.” (An-Nisa’I, Saheeh)

-Another practice that makes the Friday special is the Friday Prayer. One should attend the Friday congregational Prayer, and should attempt to be there early, so as to be recorded.

Narrated Abu Huraira, The Prophet said, “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.” (Bukhari)

Once the Khutbah has started, the angels no longer record the names, so late-comers are deprived of this opportunity. One should do their utmost to attend the Friday Prayer, it is the highlight of the day, it is the culmination of the week, and opportunity to increase your deeds.

It was narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar and Abu Hurayrah that they heard the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) say on the minbar, “Let people stop neglecting Jumu’ah, or Allah will place a seal on their hearts, then they will be among those who are neglectful.”  (Narrated by Muslim, 865)

May Allah protect us from such! When one’s heart is sealed, then no light or guidance can enter it, except by the will and permission of Allah, and Allah is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.

-The next blessing of Fridays is Sa’at Al-Istijaaba, the hour in which duaas are answered.

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) mentioned Friday and said: “On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it” – and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is. (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 893; Muslim, 852)

There are different opinions regarding the hour in which the duaa is accepted, so why waste time in idle pursuits, when you can use the time to make duaa?

-I’m pretty sure we know this one, and there is a whole article dedicated to its virtues. Nevertheless it is necessary to repeat it here, and reminders may prove beneficial! It is the recital of Surah Kahf.

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” (Narrated by al-Haakim; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Targheeb, 836)

It may seem to take up a lot of time, but with practice one will improve. Think of the rewards my dear brothers and sisters, is anything difficult when it comes to Jannah and our salvation? Can anything be difficult when we do it seeking the Face of Our Lord Most High?

-Abdullah bin Amr narrated that, The Messenger of Allah said: “No Muslim dies on the day of Friday, nor the night of Friday, except that Allah protects him from the trials of the grave.” (Jami At-Tirmidhi, Hasan)

Ask Allah for a good ending. Allah grants a good ending to those who did good in their lives, and who are deserving of it. Look to the way you live, if you find it deficient, improve it before it is too late.

And finally, I leave you with this hadith,

Abu Huraira reported that the Messenger of Allah said, The five (daily) prayers and one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer are expiations (for the sins committed in the intervals) between them. (Muslim)

My dear brothers and Sisters, let us take hold of the reigns of the Salah, and if nothing else, attempt to perfect it. Strive, and strive, until you can strive no more!

The merchandise of Allah is expensive, as the Prophet said, the merchandise of Allah is Jannah! We need every favour of Allah. Let us utilise the occasion and pursue the merchandise of Allah.