Salah is the 2nd pillar of Islam, which is obligatory for every Muslim five times daily. Friday, the Jummah prayer has a more excellent status in the lives of Muslims. There is a different format for the Rakats of Friday prayer.
The distinction of Salah on this day is evident from the fact that there is a separate Surah, “Al-Jumu’ah,” in the Holy Quran, which Allah Almighty has talked about strictly maintaining. “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 the trade.”. “That is better for you if you only knew.” (Quran, 62: 9)
The Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is held before every Friday prayer. It is obligatory to listen to the Friday Sermon upon the Muslims. The Muslims must avoid negligence during Jummah Khutbah, such as chatting, sleeping, stretching, etc. There, many Hadith narrated to describe the rewards and virtues of listening to the Friday Sermon carefully.
Listening to Friday Sermon with complete silence is of such importance that Prophet SAWS said: “If you say to your companion, ‘Listen attentively’ on a Friday, when the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, then you have engaged in idle speech” (Bukhari).
The first Adhan for the prayer on Friday was given by Muadhin about one hour ago before the actual start of the congregation, and when the Khatib of the day starts, Bayan from the rostrum, which consists of religious and social instructions, etc. In this period, Muslims are asked to put aside their personal affairs and head towards the mosque.
Friday’s sermon is the highlight of this event, and it is basically in the shape of a lecture that comes from the Imam and gets performed after the second Adhan and before performing Iqamah for Salah.
It is the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) to clean yourself properly before Friday’s Sermon, such as by ghusl, applying perfume, wearing clean clothes, etc. Friday is such an exceptional day in the life of a Muslim that due to this importance, Allah Almighty grants the reward of Jummah prayer equal to the reward of fasting and praying Qiyam for one year.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever washes his head and his body (ghusl) on Friday, then sets out early, is present at the beginning of the khutbah and is close, to the imam), then listens attentively, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying Qiyam for one year.”
(Tirmidhi)The Friday sermon is a reminder, a call, a guidance, and a means of education for Muslims. The real significance of reaching the Mosque House of the Almighty Allah holds in entering it before the start of Khutbah, as described in the Hadith: “On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that Masjid in which Jummah prayer is to be offered.”
They record the name of the person who enters the Masjid first, followed by the one who enters second, and they keep doing so. The person who entered first would get the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him would get the reward of sacrificing a cow or a chicken, and after that, the reward of giving an egg as a charity in the path of Allah. When the Khutbah starts, the angels close the register and listen to the Khutbah.” (Muslim)
Because when the Imam comes out to deliver Khutbah, the angels come to listen to the Dhikr”-Bukhari. Even the angels of Allah Almighty give importance to the word of a preacher in Friday’s sermon while delivering the Khutbah, as it contains references from the Holy Book, adding more to the significance of the address. The Friday Sermon differs from all other average speeches and has a much more significant spiritual impact on one’s heart and soul by remembering the Merciful Lord.
May Almighty Allah accept our prayers and give us the strength to follow the teachings of Islam in the best manner. Ameen!
