The virtues of Jumu‘ah (Friday) are immense

During the migration (Hijraht) from Makkah to Madinah, Rasulullah (SAW) stayed for a few days at the settlement of the Banu Amr ibn Awf near Madinah, called Quba. One day before departing from Quba, on a Thursday, Rasulullah (SAW) laid the foundation of the mosque at Quba. This became the first mosque in Islam, established upon piety and God-consciousness (Taqwa).
 

On Friday morning, Rasulullah (SAW) departed from Quba towards Madinah. When he reached the valley of the Banu Salim ibn Awf, it was time for Jumu‘ah prayer. He offered the Friday prayer at the location where the present-day “Masjid-e-Jumu‘ah” stands. This was the first Jumu‘ah prayer of Rasulullah (SAW) (Al-Binayah 3/53).
 

Recommended Sunnah acts for Jumu‘ah:

• Cutting nails, performing ghusl (ritual bath) properly, wearing clean and pure clothes, and using perfume.

• Going early to the mosque and performing two rak‘ahs of Tahiyyatul Masjid (greeting of the mosque).

• Listening attentively to the Khutbah (sermon).

• Reciting Surah Al-Kahf and sending abundant Salawat (blessings) on the Prophet (SAW) are considered highly virtuous.
   

When the call to prayer (Adhan) is made for Jumu‘ah, it is recommended to go quickly to the mosque to perform the prayer and listen to the Khutbah. Every Muslim should focus solely on the prayer and Khutbah after hearing the Adhan, avoiding other activities. Emphasis is placed on arriving at the mosque as early as possible.
 

It is narrated in Hadith that Rasulullah (SAW) said:

"Whoever performs ghusl and arrives first at the mosque on Jumu‘ah will have the reward of sacrificing a camel; the second person will have the reward of a cow; the third, a horned goat; the fourth, a chicken; and the fifth, an egg."
 

Fajr prayer on Jumu‘ah:

It is Sunnah to recite Surah Alif-Lam-Mim-Sajdah in the first rak‘ah and Surah Ad-Dahr in the second rak‘ah of Fajr on Friday. Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA) narrated that Rasulullah (SAW) used to recite these Surahs in Fajr on Jumu‘ah (Bukhari 891).
 

Recitation of Surah Al-Kahf:

Reciting Surah Al-Kahf on Friday is mustahab (recommended). Abu Sa‘id Khudri (RA) narrated that Rasulullah (SAW) said:
 

"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday will have a light (Noor) that will shine for him from that Friday to the next Friday." (Sunan al-Kubra 3/353)
 

In another narration, it is mentioned:

"A light will shine for him from the one who recites it all the way to the Ka‘bah." (Bayhaqi Sharif 3/113)
 

The special moment of Jumu‘ah:

Hazrat Jabir ibn Abdullah (RA) narrated that Rasulullah (SAW) said there is a moment on Jumu‘ah when any Muslim makes dua, Allah grants it. Therefore, seek this moment after Asr until the end of the day (Abu Dawud 1/150).
 

Muslim Sharif narrates that Abu Burda ibn Abu Musa Ash‘ari (RA) said: Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) asked me whether I had heard about the virtue of the hour on Jumu‘ah from my father. I replied yes. He said: I heard Rasulullah (SAW) say that the blessed hour on Jumu‘ah is from when the Imam sits on the minbar until the conclusion of the prayer (Muslim 1975).
 

May Allah grant all of us the understanding and ability to honor the dignity of Jumu‘ah.