Importance Of Friday In Islam

Specific Days Significant In Many Religions

In Christianity and Judaism, both of which are Abrahamic religions, Sunday is the day of Sabbath or rest. It is the day when Christians go to church. Similarly in Islam, Friday is the day for prayer and festivities. In many Islamic countries, Friday is set as weekly off, generally combined with a Thursday or a Saturday. It is the first day of the week in these Islamic countries. However, very few people know the spiritual significance of Friday in Islam.
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Why Friday Is The Holy Day Of The Week?

• According to Islamic scriptures, the holy prophet Mohammed proclaimed that Friday is the holiest day on which the Sun rises.
• The prophet went to explain his proclamation by saying that God created the first man on Earth, Adam on the same day.
• Adam was also expelled from paradise on a fateful Friday due his crime of passion.
• It was a Friday on which God forgave his son Adam and restored him to this Earth.
• According to Islamic scriptures, Quyamat or the day of destruction of this Universe will also be a Friday.

What Is Jummah?

Most people believe that Jummah is just another way of saying that it is a Friday. But that is not true. Jummah means much more than a mere day. It basically refers to the special prayers offered by Muslims on Friday. Devout Muslims are expected to pray or read the namaz five times in a day. It is not compulsory for them to go to a mosque every day. But all the Muslims are expected to be at the mosque for namaz on Friday evening. This is the prayer of Jummah which is usually conducted by a muezzin.

Prayers During The Afternoon

While the Namaz is recited five times a day, it is the noon prayers of a Friday that are more significant. One must leave any business in hand, and go for the prayers when called for. It is obligatory for men to offer these prayers. Generally, people in many countries take this break as a lunch break after the recitation of the Namaz. One should not skip Friday prayers for any reason whatsoever. Be it your business, office or studies, prayers are obligatory for all men.

Some Rules Common Yet Obligatory

Besides this, there are some more rules that need to be observed on a Friday, the most common of which are that one should necessarily take bath and wear washed and neat clothes on a Friday. Yet another common belief is that under no case should a person skip prayers continuously three times without a genuine reason. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had once said that ''there is no day more virtuous than a Friday. In it there is an hour when no one will pray to God except that God will hear his prayer.''

In large Mosques like the Jamma Masjid in Delhi, crowd of thousands gathers to offer their special Friday prayers. Friday in Islam is a day for special prayer and festivities followed by it.Hence, is the importance of Friday in Islam.