The Friday prayer (Jumuah)

Friday is a special day for Muslims. At midday, in place of the usual Dhuhr prayer, Muslims gather at the masjid for Jumuah, the Friday prayer. Allah says:

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.

Quran 62:9 (Saheeh International translation of the meaning)

In other words: when the call is made for prayer on Friday, go to hear the sermon and pray, and set aside buying, selling, and anything else that keeps you from it. Scholars take this verse as a proof that attending Jumuah and listening to the sermon is an obligation.

Who must attend

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said: "Jumuah is a duty upon every Muslim in congregation, except four: a slave, a woman, a child, or a sick person" (Abu Dawud, sahih). The majority of scholars, including the four schools, also exempt the traveler. In practice:

• Adult men who are not traveling attend Jumuah every week, unless they have a valid excuse such as illness.

• Women, children, travelers, and the sick are not required to attend. On Friday they pray Dhuhr as usual.

• Anyone who does attend and prays Jumuah with the imam does not pray Dhuhr that day; scholars agree this is enough for them. Women may attend if they wish.

What happens at Jumuah

1. The adhan is called.

2. The imam gives two sermons (each is called a khutbah), standing, with a short sitting between them (Bukhari and Muslim).

3. The iqamah is called, and everyone prays two units (rak'ahs) together behind the imam (al-Nasa'i, sahih).

4. These two units take the place of the four units of Dhuhr for that day.

The Prophet kept both his prayer and his sermon moderate in length (Muslim).

Etiquette of the day

• Take a bath (ghusl). The Prophet said: "Whoever of you comes to attend the Friday prayer, let him take a shower" (Bukhari and Muslim). Most scholars, including the four imams, consider it strongly recommended rather than required. The Prophet also said that whoever only makes wudu on Friday has done well, and whoever bathes has done better (Tirmidhi and others, hasan).

• Come clean and fresh. The Prophet mentioned purifying yourself as much as you can and using oil or perfume from your home (Bukhari). Women going to the masjid do not wear perfume, as the Prophet instructed (Muslim).

• Arrive early. The Prophet said that on Friday the angels stand at the masjid door recording people in the order they arrive, and when the imam comes out, they fold their records and listen to the sermon (Bukhari and Muslim).

• Do not push between people. The Prophet mentioned not separating two people who are sitting together (Bukhari). Find a space without stepping over anyone.

• Listen quietly to the sermon. The Prophet said: "If you say to your companion 'listen' on Friday while the Imam is delivering the sermon, you have thus engaged in idle talk" (Bukhari and Muslim). Even telling someone else to be quiet is too much, so give the khutbah your full attention.

The Prophet said that whoever bathes on Friday, purifies himself, uses some scent, does not separate two people, prays what is written for him, and listens quietly while the imam speaks, will have his sins between that Friday and the next forgiven (Bukhari).

The last lesson of this step is about the two joyful prayers of the year: the prayers of Eid.