What is the meaning of Jumu’ah?

Jumu’ah

The holy day of the week is Happy Friday in Islam, which is called Juma (Arabic: Friday). In Islam, Fridays are a celebration in their own right and Muslims dress in clean clothes, bathe, and prepare special meals for this day[1].

Friday prayers (English: Friday prayer, *al*t al-Jumu*ah) are held after the regular Zuhr prayers[2]. Jumu’ah derives from the same root as jama’a, meaning ‘the gathering of people.’ [3] Many Muslim countries include Friday in the weekend, whereas in other countries, Friday is a half-day in most schools and offices.

The Meaning

Islamic rituals are exalted and considered compulsory.

Responsibility

According to Muslim tradition, the Friday prayer (salat al-jumu’ah) is wajib according to the Quranic verse and the many traditions related by Shi’i and Sunni sources. Almost all Sunni schools and some Shiite jurists agree that Friday prayer is a religious obligation, but there are differences regarding whether it is conditional on the presence of the ruler or his deputy or if it is wajib universally.

It is not compulsory to pray on Friday if neither the ruler nor his deputy are present; the Hanafis and the Imams believe this. Unless a ruler is just (‘adil), then his presence is the same as his absence. Despite his injust status, his mere existence is enough for the Hanafis. A ruler’s presence is of no significance to the Shafi’is, Malikis, and Hanbalis.

In addition, it is specified that Jumu’ah is not mandatory for the old, the children, the women, slaves, the sick, the blind and disabled, and those who are outside the limit of two farsakhs. 

The Quran

Quranic verses mention:

Your faith is a blessing! As Friday approaches, rush toward the remembrance of God, leaving all business behind. Should you know, that is more beneficial to you. When the prayer is finished, go and seek God’s grace, and make God your greatest concern in order to succeed.

Al-Jumu’ah (62), Ayahs 9-10

Hadiths

On every Friday, the angels prepare the names of people chronologically (according to the time when they arrive for Friday prayers) and as soon as the Imam sits (on the pulpit) they fold up their scrolls and listen to the sermon.”

– From the Sahih al-Bukhari, Muhammad al-Bukhari 

An-Naysaburi describes that the Islamic prophet Muhammad read Surah Al-Ala (Al-Ala) and Surah 88, (Al-Ghashiya) during Saturday prayers and on Fridays. Suppose one of the If If Muhammad had ensured they were read at the Friday prayers, he would have made sure they were read there as well.

On Friday, the sun rises over the best day of the week; on it, Paradise is entered, the sun sets over it, and the Last Hour will not take place on another day than Friday. [Ahmad; at-Tirmithi].

Ibn Aws, reported Muhammad saying: “Whoever does Ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do Ghusl, then goes to the mosque early and listens to the Khutbah closely and listens to the Imam attentively, for each step towards the mosque, Allah will reward him by making him fast for the entire year and by observing night-vigil all its nights.” [Ibn Khuzaymah, Ahmad] .

The significance of Jumu’ah has been reported in numerous hadiths. According to reports, the Prophet said:

• “The Jumu’ah pilgrimage is for the poor”
• A person who tosses away three Jumu’ah out of indifference will lose hearts.
• During their visit to Salatul Jumu’ah, Adam and Eve wash fully on Friday, and they listen to the Imam’s speeches and do not do anything wrong, Allah will reward them with one year of fasting and praying .
• Muslims who die during the third day or night of Friday are protected from the grave by Allah. [At-Tirmithi and Ahmad]
• According to a hadith related by Al-Bukhari, by the hour of Friday, any request from a worshipper will be granted and not rejected by Allah, provided that it is not for bad wishes.
• “On Friday, one of the 12 hours includes an hour when Muslim believers seek dua in the afternoon, after the Asr prayer”.

Sunni Islam

Jumu’ah is half the Zuhr (dhuhr) prayer, for convenience, preceded by a sermon (to replace the two reduced raka**at of the ordinary Zuhr (dhuhr) prayer), then the congregation prays, led by the imam. In most cases, the imam is also the kha**b. Every male adult of legal age in the vicinity must attend Jum’ah. [14] The muezzin (mu*adhdhin) calls for Prayer, called the adhan, usually 15-20 minutes before Jum’ah begins. 

A second adhan is made when the kha**b sits at the minbar. During the kha**b’s two sermons, he is supposed to stop and sit briefly between the two. A first sermon typically has the most content and is longer. After the muezzin has proclaimed the iq*mah, the muezzin concludes the second sermon with a dua. This marks the start of the main two rak’at prayers of Jumu’ah.

Shia Islam

The Salat al-Jumuah of Shia Islam consists of Wajib Takhyiri (at the time of occultation), meaning that we have the option of reciting Jumuah prayers, in addition to Zuhr prayers. As such, if Salat al-Jumuah is offered, no Zuhr prayer is necessary. In addition, Shiite Scholars recommend that you attend Jumu’ah after Imam Mahdi and Jesus Christ (Isa) appear [17] since Jumu’ah will become Wajib after their appearance.

For Shiites (Imamite), the presence of a just ruler, his representative, or a just faqih is highly significant. In the absence of a just ruler, his representative, and a just faqih, there is no state an option between performing the Friday or the Zuhr prayers, but having the preference of performing the Friday prayers.[6][clarification required]

The past

In the history of Islam and the report of Abdullah bn ‘Abbas, it is stated that Allah allowed the Friday prayer to be performed before hijrah, but the people were unable to gather and perform it. Mus’ab b. received a note from the Prophet. Muhammad umair prayed two rounds of raka’at in congregation on Friday (that is, Jumu’ah). When the Prophet migrated to Medina, he held the Jumuah.[18]

Shiites were historically discouraged from attending Friday prayers by their clergy.[19][20] According to them, communal Friday prayers with a sermon were wrong and had lapsed (along with many other religious practices) until the 12th Imam returned, Mohamed al-Mahdi. [20] However, the Shiite modernist Muhammad ibn Muhammad Mahdi al-Khalisi (1890-1963) encouraged Shiites to observe Friday prayers more meticulously as a way of bridging the gap between Sunni and Shia.[21] Later, communal Friday prayers were established, and then became standard, by Ruhollah Khomeini in Iran and Mohammad Sadeq al-Sadr in Iraq. As a result of the recently promoted Guardianship of Islamic Jurists doctrine, the practice was justified. Sadr’s installation of Friday prayer imams in Shia-majority areas – a practice not traditional in Iraqi Shiism and considered “revolutionary” [20] – enraged the Shia religious hierarchy at Najaf. [22] Both Khomeini and Sadr held political sermons [20]

Participation rates

Prayers that are communal have a higher rate of compliance than those that are not. In Turkey, for example, 14% of adults regularly perform ritual prayers, while 26% regularly attend Friday prayers (25% sometimes attend and 19% never attend). These figures might not be accurate, since many men and many boys perform the Jumu’ah prayers in Turkey at work and at school, respectively. [23]

The Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance reports that fewer than 1.4% of Iranians attend Friday prayers [24].

Assumptions

According to Jumu’ah, an accurate Jumu’ah must meet certain conditions, including the following:

• The Friday prayer must be offered in congregation.
• It is essential that the congregation attend the entire Jumu’ah process. Sunni schools of jurisprudence Shafi’i and Hanbali require the attendance of 40 persons as a minimum. A minimum of 3 or 5 persons (better 7) are required by other schools.
• Shiite law stipulates that only one Friday prayer may be offered within a radius of 3 miles (720 yards). The second prayer will be void if it is held within this distance.
• A minimum of four (or six) people must listen attentively to two sermons delivered by the Imam before the prayer.”[25]

Formatting

Khutbah Jumu’ah [edited]

• In mosques, a talk or sermon is delivered before Friday prayers.[26] There are two parts to the sermon, at the end of which the Khatib (speaker) must sit for a short period of time.[27]
• The sermon and prayer should not be separated by an undue interval or irrelevant action. “[28] It is preferable if the sermon is in Arabic, especially when the Qur’an will be recited. If not, it should be given in the language most of the faithful understand. The preacher should recite in this case Qur**nic verses that praise God and Muhammad. “^[29]
• Shiites and Sunnis both require the following contents in the Quran: “[30]”
• Allah is praised and glorified.
• Muhammad’s progeny are blessed with blessings
• Encouragement, admonition, and exhortations to the participants.
• The Quranic verses are recited
• Among other topics, however, the following were recommended for the second sermon:
• All Muslims will benefit from it in this life and the next.
• Events around the world that are favorable or unfavorable to Muslims.
• A special focus should be placed on Muslim-related issues.
• An economic and political aspect of society.[31][32]
• Attendees should pay careful attention to the sermon and not do anything that could distract them.[31]
• When the imam is delivering the Friday sermon, someone with their knees raised is forbidden to touch their abdomen. [33]

Jumu’ah prayer

• Just like morning (fajr) prayers, Jumu’ah prayers comprise two rak’ats each. The prayer is offered immediately following the Khutbah (sermon). This prayer replaces Zuhr prayer[17].
• According to Shiite doctrine it is advisable(Sunnat) to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah in the first rak’at and Surah al-Munafiqun in the second rak’at, after Surah al-Hamd.^[25]

The Qunut

• Shi’ite doctrine recommends two qunut during salatul Jumu’ah (raising one hand in supplication during salat). In the first rak’at before ruku’, the first Qunut is offered; in the second rak’at after ruku’, the second Qunut is offered.[25]

Celebrations:

Peoples use Friday Gif Images by showing their gratitude’s and blessings