Friday in Islam: Established Virtues and Sound Etiquette Without Exaggeration

Friday holds a special place in Islam, but discussions of its virtues require adherence to established texts and avoidance of widely circulated messages that attribute unsupported virtues or practices to the religion. In this article from “Imaniyat Break,” we present the main points established in the Quran and Sunnah, while highlighting some issues that require clarification.

The Friday Call in the Quran

Allah Almighty says in Surat al-Jumu’ah, verse 9: ﴿O you who have believed, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.﴾ The verse illustrates the status of Friday prayer and the obligation, for those required to perform it, to leave whatever distracts them from it when the call is made. Al-Tafsir al-Muyassar explains “proceed” here as going to hear the sermon and perform the prayer, while leaving trade and anything else that distracts one from it.

Why Does Friday Have a Special Virtue?

It is authentically reported from Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday.” He mentioned that it was the day on which Adam was created, admitted to Paradise and expelled from it, and that the Hour will come only on Friday. The hadith was narrated by Muslim in his Sahih, no. 854, and is authentic. This text is a clear basis for the virtue of this day, without any need to add unsupported virtues.

An important point here is that honoring Friday does not consist merely of slogans; rather, it means responding to what Allah and His Messenger have prescribed: performing the prayer, listening to the sermon, engaging in remembrance and supplication, and observing established Sunnah practices.

Bathing, Applying Perfume and Going Early

Authentic hadiths address bathing for Friday, using the tooth-stick, applying perfume and going early to the mosque. Sheikh Abdulaziz bin Baz states on his official website that bathing for Friday is a confirmed Sunnah according to most scholars, and that applying perfume, using the tooth-stick, wearing good clothing and going early are recommended Sunnah practices.

Sheikh Ibn Baz also pointed out that going early means that the worshipper should personally go to the mosque ahead of time, rather than reserve a place and then leave; the place belongs to whoever gets there first. This is an important practical issue in mosques that become crowded on Fridays.

The Hour When Supplications Are Answered

Authentic hadiths establish that Friday contains an hour during which supplications are answered, making it one of the times when acceptance of supplication may be hoped for. Disagreement over identifying that time should not be turned into certainty about a specific hour without stronger evidence; Muslims should instead increase their supplications on this day and seek out times when acceptance is hoped for.

A Note on Reciting Surat al-Kahf

Many messages circulate about the virtue of reciting Surat al-Kahf on Friday. Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that, in his view, the attributed hadiths reported on this matter are weak, although recitation has been established as a practice of some of the Companions. He therefore said that reciting it on Friday is good and that its reward may be hoped for. It is important to present the issue with this distinction and not treat hadiths whose authenticity is disputed as being on the same level as hadiths universally regarded as authentic.

Is Friday to Be Singled Out for Fasting?

One ruling that some people may not know is the prohibition against singling out Friday for voluntary fasting. Sheikh Ibn Baz explained that the prohibition concerns someone who singles out Friday alone for a voluntary fast. If a person fasts it together with Thursday or Saturday, or if it falls within a regular fasting practice, there is no objection. Likewise, if Friday coincides with an obligatory fast, such as making up a Ramadan fast, this does not constitute singling it out for voluntary fasting.

How Should Friday Be Observed Correctly?

In conclusion, Friday combines a great communal act of worship with established individual etiquette: bathing, maintaining a good appearance, going early, listening attentively to the sermon, increasing remembrance of Allah and supplication, and avoiding the circulation of unverified hadiths and virtues. The closer a Muslim remains to authentic texts, the farther their observance of this day is from exaggeration and the closer it is to the Sunnah.

Sources

• Surat al-Jumu’ah, verse 9 – Quran.com.
• The hadith “The best day on which the sun has risen” – Al-Durar Al-Saniyyah; its basis is in Sahih Muslim (854).
• Bathing on Friday is a confirmed Sunnah – Sheikh Ibn Baz’s official website.
• The virtue of going early for Friday prayer – Sheikh Ibn Baz’s official website.
• Ruling on the hadiths concerning the virtue of reciting Surat al-Kahf on Friday – Sheikh Ibn Baz’s official website.
• Ruling on fasting on Friday – Sheikh Ibn Baz’s official website.