Friday holds a great significance among all other days, the actual meaning of Friday (Jummah) is ‘congregation’. It is superior to the rest of the days as Prophet Muhammad (Saww) said
“The best day in the sight of Allah Almighty is Friday, the day of the congregation” (Al-Bukhari).
On this blessed day, Muslims gather in mosques and offer Jummah prayers and listen to Khutba (sermon), Muslims pay importance to this sacred day by taking shower, and before Jummah prayer and rush to the mosques to listen to khutba, Muslims greet each other by hugging and exchanging greeting words (Jummah Mubarak), Friday is sort of gala day for Muslims who are motivated to wear new clothes, involve themselves in good deeds, greet each other, recite Quran and Darud on this auspicious day of the week,
Our Prophet Muhammad (Saww) stated “Recite Durood upon me in abundance on the day of Jummah since they are presented to me.” (Ibn Majah). Muslims make special supplications on this holy day, the value of this beautiful can be understood through this exquisite Hadith in which Prophet Muhammad (Saww) stated;
“There is an hour on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while offering Salat and asks something from Allah Almighty, then Allah will fulfill his demands and Prophet Muhammad (SAW) pointed out the shortness of that particular time with his hands.” (Bukhari)
Friday- A Virtuous Day
Our Prophet Muhammad (Saww) would celebrate Jummah which adds the value of this blessed day. The Prophet Muhammad (Saww) would take a bath, wear clean clothes, apply (perfume), and also wear Surma in the eyes. The necessity of doing special preparations on this hold day is depicted by the deeds of Prophet Muhammad (Saww).
The Prophet Muhammad (Saww) told the importance of Friday as;” When the Friday comes, at every door of the Masjid there stands Angels who write down (the names of) those who come First, then who comes next. When the Imam sits down, the records are closed and they come to listen to the reminder, i.e. the Khutba….”
Another Hadith exhibits the significance of Friday “The best day during which the sun has risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the Day of Judgment takes place.”
The importance of the Jummah prayer in the light of the Quran can be understood by the following verse
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 would be better for you if you only knew.
Muslims should prioritize Jummah prayer over any worldly matter. By offering Jummah prayer in congregation every week we present an exquisitely positive image of the Muslims all across the world which shows unity and brotherhood as Muslims prefer to give charity on this virtuous day.
Muslims are encouraged to recite Surah Kahf on this most blessed day as Our Prophet Muhammad (Saww) stated “Whoever reads Surah Kahf on Fridays, there will be a bright light to shine for him between the two Fridays.” (Nasai).
Sins are forgiven on this sacred day “Whoever takes a bath on a Friday and does it well, and purifies himself and does it well, and puts on his best clothes, and puts on whatever Allah decrees for him of the perfume of his family, then comes to the mosque and does not engage in idle talk or separate (pushing between) two people; he will be forgiven for (his sins) between that day and the previous Friday.”(Ibn Majah).
The beautifully blissful feeling for a Muslim would be catching a glimpse of Allah Pak, it will be the moment that has no match as the believer will finally get to see his LORD, the Almighty and Friday is the blessed day chosen for that heavenly delightful event as Allah says in Quran “Allah will appear to them on the day of Jummah.”(Quran, 50:35).
We as Muslims should not never underestimate the blessings of this most sacred day, as Allah has blessed us with a virtuous day once a week, so must make most of it by engaging ourselves in good deeds, helping each other, fulfilling the desires of the needy, purifying our souls with pearls of recitation and remembrance of Allah.
Friday is the day of Contemplation; to focus on the blessings of Allah Almighty that he has provided us with several things we must pay gratitude for.
Friday is the day of Happiness; as Allah grants us with an unimaginable extent of blessings and rewards for our little deeds of kindness and righteousness.
Friday is the day of Congregation; where Muslims brothers greet each other and spread the message of harmony and show the world that we belong to One Allah and bow our heads only before Allah Almighty.
Friday is the day of Supplications; we raise our hands to make Dua to Allah Almighty with complete faith that only He is the one Who has control over everything, with our supplications we show a believe that only Allah can provide us with things we desire and only Allah has the power of forgiving us, we make requests to Him and He bestowed upon us the mercy that wiped our sins away and provide us an eternal peace that soothes our souls.
Friday is the day of Celebration; a day when Muslims cherish the moments of togetherness, this day reminds them of the love of Allah Almighty as He promised many rewards on this virtuous day. Muslims spend this day like an EID day and take advantage of the ultimate blessings that are sent down of this propitious day.
Muslims are blessed to have such a promising opportunity every week to please Allah Almighty and collect the endless blessings that are not only limited to this World but will also entertain him in the life Hereafter.