الحمد لله، الحمد لله الذي جعل يوم الجمعة عيدًا لنا ، يومًا للبركة والرحمة، يومًا لتجديد العهد مع الله، نحمده ونستعينه، ونستغفره ونشكره وَنُؤْمِنُ بِهِ ونَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْهِ ،و نعوذ بالله من شرور أنفسنا ومن سيئات أعمالنا، من يهده الله فلا مضل له، ومن يضلل فلا هادي له ونشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له، له الملك و له الحمد، يحيي ويميت، بيده الخير، وهو على كل شيء قدير، ونشهد أن سيدنا و مولانا محمداً عبده ورسوله، بلغ الرسالة وأدى الأمانة ونصح الأمة، وكشف الغمة، وجاهد في الله حق جهاده حتى أتاه اليقين ، اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك عليه وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أما بعد! فيا عباد الله اتقوا الله حق تقاته ولا تموتن إلا وأنتم مسلمون. يأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله وقولوا قولا سديدا يصلح لكم أعمالكم ويغفر لكم ذنوبكم. ومن يطع الله ورسوله فقد فاز فوزا عظيما
قال الله تعالى في كتابه الكريم: يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Beloved brothers and sisters in Islam, today we gather to reflect on the importance and significance of the most important day of the week Jumu’ah, the mubarak day chosen by Allah سبحانه وتعالى for the believers. The word Jumu’ah means gathering. Another name for the Day of Judgment is Yawm al-Jama’, the Day of Gathering. Thus, our weekly gathering reminds us of the larger gathering to come. Allah says in the Glorious Qur’an:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“O you who believe! When the call is made for some of Jumu’ah for prayer, we only need to dedicate part of our Friday, unlike the Jews who dedicated their entire Saturday. This shows how little Allah asks of us. So, when He says to rush to the remembrance of Allah, we should prioritize it in our lives. Allah could have said: rush to the khutbah, but He says dhikril Allah, emphasizing that the essence of Jumu’ah is the remembrance of Allah, once you understand that is the essence of Jumu’ah. Leave the sale, leave that big opportunity, leave that customer who’s filling up her cart to the brim, leave that which distracts you from Him. This act of leaving something you want for Allah’s sake demonstrates a profound trust in Allah’s provision and an understanding that true success lies in His remembrance. That is better for you if you only knew.” The very next Ayah tells us one of the ways in which this is better for us,
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ ٱلصَّلَوٰةُ فَٱنتَشِرُواْ فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱبۡتَغُواْ مِن فَضۡلِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱللَّهَ كَثِيرٗا لَّعَلَّكُمۡ تُفۡلِحُونَ
“when the Prayer is ended, disperse in the land and seek Allah’s Bounty, and remember Allah much so that you may prosper.” In other words, Allah will turn the most unproductive part of the week into the most productive part of the week.
Jumu’ah is a day filled with numerous virtues and blessings, It is a day when the angels stand at the doors of the mosques, recording the names of those who arrive early. The earlier one arrives, the greater the reward. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
إذا كان يوم الجمعة وقَفَتِ الملائكةُ على باب المسجد يَكْتُبون الأوّلَ فالأوّلَ، ومَثَلُ المُهَجِّر كمثل الذي يُهْدي بَدَنةً، ثم كالذي يُهْدي بقرة، ثم كَبْشا، ثم دَجاجة، ثم بَيضة، فإذا خرج الإمام طَوَوُا صُحُفَهم، ويسْتَمعون الذِّكرَ
“On the day of Jumu’ah, the angels stand at the door of the masjid and record the people in order of their arrival. The example of one who enters the masjid early is that of one who offers a camel, then the one who comes next is like one who offers a cow, then a ram, then a chicken, then an egg. When the imam comes out to deliver the khutbah, the angels fold up their scrolls and listen to the reminder.” (Bukhari).
The obligation of Jumu’ah salah starts when the imam ascends the mimbar. Sales and everything that busies you from rushing to Jumu’ah becomes haram. It is imperative for the believing men who are not travellers to be present in the mosque before the khutbah begins, showing respect and eagerness for the remembrance of Allah. Unless he has a valid ‘uthr’ excuse. But whoever misses 3 Jumu’ah’s consecutively out of negligence (without reason or illness), Allah will place a seal over his heart. Can there be anything scarier than being cut off from the nur of guidance.
وَإِذَا رَأَوْا تِجَارَةً أَوْ لَهْوًا انْفَضُّوا إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَائِمًا ۖ قُلْ مَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَارَةِ ۚ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَّازِقِينَ
“In the last Ayah of Surah Al-Jumu’ah, Allah recounts an incident during the time of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ in Madinah. While he was delivering a sermon, some attendees saw a trade caravan with merchandise and entertainment. They left the Jumu’ah gathering and rushed towards it, leaving the Prophet standing there. The Prophet ﷺ said about this incident: “By the One in whose hand is Muhammad’s soul, if they all had gone, Allah would have set the valley ablaze on them.” This severe warning underscores the gravity of neglecting Jumu’ah prayer for this world). The Prophet was ordered to say: “That which Allah has is better than amusement and merchandise, and Allah is the best of providers.”
At the beginning of surah al-Jumu’ah Allah makes a profound statement that can now be better understood in light of the above. He states that:
هُوَ الَّذِي بَعَثَ فِي الْأُمِّيِّينَ رَسُولًا مِّنْهُمْ يَتْلُو عَلَيْهِمْ آيَاتِهِ وَيُزَكِّيهِمْ وَيُعَلِّمُهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْحِكْمَةَ
He is the one who sent among the unlettered a Messenger from themselves to recite upon them His verses, to purify them, to teach them the book and wisdom.
What is the Significance of the Unlettered Messenger’s Teachings:
The unlettered Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, despite being unable to read or write, miraculously recites Allah’s verses to the people. This divine recitation purifies their thoughts, actions, and speech. The Prophet ﷺ not only delivers the Qur’an (the Book with its injunctions and laws) but also imparts wisdom—beneficial knowledge that can be acted upon. These four elements—recitation, purification, teaching the Book, and imparting wisdom—form the Prophet’s transformative formula.
Every Jumu’ah, this process is brought to life. During the Friday prayer, as the Qur’anic verses are recited, they purify our actions while we sit in obedience. By listening attentively and refraining from speaking, we follow Allah’s commands and embody the wisdom imparted. Through this weekly practice, we fulfill the profound legacy of the Prophet ﷺ.
Subhan-Allah! How remarkable it is that each Jumu’ah, we are given the opportunity to transform ourselves and continue the noble tradition established by our beloved Prophet ﷺ.
May Allah grant us understanding and help us to prioritize His remembrance. May He guide us to arrive early for Jumu’ah and engage fully in worship and grant us success in this world and the Hereafter. Ameen.
أقول قولي هذا وأستغفر الله لي ولكم ولسائر المسلمين من كل ذنب فاستغفروه إنه هو الغفور الرَّحيم
الحمد لله الحمد لله رب العالمين، وأشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمداً عبده ورسوله، أرسله بشيرا ونذيرا بين يدي الساعة اللهم صلِّ وسلم وبارك عليه وعلى آله وأصحابه أجمعين، ومن تبعهم بإحسان إلى يوم الدين.
أما بعد! فيأيها الذين ءامنوا اتقوا الله ما استطعتم واسمعوا وأطيعوا وأنفقوا خيرا لأنفسكم. يا عباد الله أوصيكم وإياي بتقوى الله وطاعته وأحذركم وإياي عن معصيته ومخالفته
Ya IbadaAllah, Jumu’ah is a rehearsal for Judgment Day. On that day, we will face Allah. You should strive your utmost to come to Jumu’ah looking and smelling your best.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On it Adam was created, admitted to Jannah, and expelled from it. The Hour will not be established except on Friday.” (Muslim). Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah said: “Friday is the balance of the week, Ramadan is the balance of the year, and Hajj is the balance of a lifetime.” If our deen places such importance on Jumu’ah, then we must place importance on it.
Cleanliness and Personal Hygiene:
الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الإِيمَانِ Cleanliness is half of Iman. The Prophet ﷺ emphasized the importance of performing ghusl (washing the entire body thoroughly enough to remove all bad smells), especially on Fridays. He said: “Taking a ghusl on Friday is an obligation (meaning a strong recommendation) upon every adult male.” (Saheehaini). This includes regular bathing, brushing teeth, keeping clothes clean, and using pleasant fragrances. Wear your best for the best day of the week. Once our foundation of cleanliness is established we can look to maximizing the many blessings of Jumu’ah:
- Seeking Forgiveness:
“The doors of repentance are open until the sun rises from the west.” (Muslim). On Jumu’ah, we have a special opportunity for forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ، ثُمَّ أَتَى الْمَسْجِدَ، فَصَلَّى مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ، ثُمَّ أَنْصَتَ حَتَّى يَنْقَضِيَ الْإِمَامُ مِنْ خُطْبَتِهِ، ثُمَّ يُصَلِّي مَعَهُ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الْأُخْرَى، وَفَضْلُ ثَلَاثَةِ أَيَّامٍ
“Whoever cleans himself thoroughly on Friday, goes to the mosque, prays, listens attentively, and prays with the Imam, his sins between that Friday and the next Friday, plus three more days, will be forgiven.”
- Attending Early:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
من غسَّل يومَ الجمعةِ واغتسل وبكَّرَ وابتكرَ ومشى ولم يَركبْ ودنا من الإمامِ واستمع ولم يَلْغُ كان له بكلِّ خطوةٍ عملُ سنةٍ أجرُ صيامِها وقيامِها
“Whoever washes himself thoroughly on Friday, goes early to the mosque, walks and does not ride, sits close to the Imam (not when you are late), listens attentively, and remains silent, for every step he takes, he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyam for one entire year.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). This is a great incentive, especially for those who find it difficult to attend mosque early.
- Special Moments of Du’a: The Prophet ﷺ said:
فِي الْجُمُعَةِ سَاعَةٌ لَا يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ، وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي، يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ
“There is a moment on Friday when a Muslim is praying, and he asks Allah for something, Allah will grant it to him.” Remember, even waiting for the prayer counts as praying.
- Increasing Salutations and Reciting Surah Al-Kahf:
أَكْثِرُوا الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَلَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ
“Increase in salutations upon me on the days and nights of Jumu’ah” (Abu Dawood) and recite Surah Al-Kahf on Jumu’ah. It will be a light for you from one Jumu’ah to the next.
May Allah (SWT) accept our efforts, forgive our shortcomings, and grant us the blessings of Jumu’ah.
إِنَّ اللهَ وَمَلَائِكَتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ، يَا أَيُهَا الذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً.
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ وَسَلِّمْ وَبَارِكْ عَلَيْهِ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ أَجْمَعِينَ. وَارْضَ اللَّهُمَّ عَنِ الْخُلَفَاءِ الرَّاشِدِينَ أَبِي بَكْرٍ وَعُمَرَ وَعُثْمَانَ وَعَلِيٍّ، وعن أم المومنين عائشة التي أمرنا الله في سورة النور أن ندافع عنها، وَعَنْ سَائِرِ الصَّحَابَةِ أَجْمَعِينَ، خُصُوصاً اِلأَنْصَارَ مِنْهُمْ وَالمُهَاجِرِينَ، وَعَنِ التَّابِعِينَ وَتَابِعِي التَّابِعِينَ وَمَنْ تَبِعَهُمْ بِإِحْسَانٍ إِلَى يَوْمِ الدِّينِ.
اللَّهُمَّ اهْدِ وُلَاةَ أُمُورِ المُسْلِمِينَ لِمَا يُرْضِيكَ وَلِاتِّبَاعِ سُنَّةِ نَبِيِّكَ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَثَبِّتْ أَقْدَامَهُمْ عَلَى الصِّرَاطِ المُسْتَقِيمِ، وَأَصْلِحْهُمْ يَا رَبَّ الْعَالَمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى شُيُوخِنَا، وَعَلَى رئيسنا، وَعَلَى أَمِيرِنَا، وَعَلَى جَمِيعِ أُمَرَاءِ وَزُعَمَاءِ المُسْلِمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى المُسْلِمِينَ فِي هَذِهِ المَدِينَةِ، وَوَفِّقْهُمْ لِمَا تُحِبُّهُ وَتَرْضَاهُ يَا أَكْرَمَ الأَكْرَمِينَ.
اللَّهُمَّ أَعِزَّ الإِسْلَامَ وَالمُسِْلمِينَ، اللهم ألف بين قلوبنا، ووحد صفوفنا، واجعلنا يا رب العالمين من عبادك الصالحين. اللهم اجعلنا من أهل الجمعة، واجعلنا من الذين يستمعون القول فيتبعون أحسنه. اللهم اغفر لنا ذنوبنا، وكفر عنا سيئاتنا، وتوفنا مع الأبرار. ربنا آتنا في الدنيا حسنة وفي الآخرة حسنة وقنا عذاب النار.
إِنَّ اللهَ يَامُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالإِحْسَانِ وَإِيتَاءِ ذِي الْقُرْبَى، وَيَنْهَى عَنِ الْفَحْشَاءِ وَالمُنكَرِ وَالْبَغْيِ، يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَّكَّرُونَ، وَلَذِكْرُ اللهِ أَكْبَرُ وَاللهُ يَعْلَمُ مَا تَصْنَعُونَ. وَقُومُواْ إِلَى صَلاتِكُمْ يَرْحَمُكُمُ اللهُ.