QUA RAN 62 VS 9 - 11
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious , The Most Merciful
9- O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trading; that is better for you if you know.
10- But when the prayer is ended, then disperse abroad in the land and seek of Allah’s grace and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.
11- And when they see merchandise or sport they break up for it, and leave you standing. Say what is with Allah is better than sport and (better) than merchandise, and Allah is the best of sustainers.
The above Surah is contained in chapter sixty-two of the holy Quran and it was revealed in Medinah. The above verses were revealed to mankind to teach us the orders and the etiquette for Friday prayer because it is a special day among the seven days of the week for all Muslims.
Friday is called Al-Jumu’ah because it is derived from ‘Al-Jam’, literally, ‘gathering’. The Muslims gather weekly on every Friday in the major places of worship. It was during Friday worship that Allah finished the creation. On Friday, Allah created Adam and he was placed in the paradise and ironically, it was a Friday when he was taken out of Paradise. It will also be on a Friday when the Last Hour will commence. There is an hour on Friday, if faithful servant asks Allah for something, Allah will give him what he asked for. All of these are based upon Hadith in the authentic collections.
In the ancient time, Friday was called ‘Arubah’ in the local parlance. It is a fact that ancient nations were taught of the importance of Friday, but many failed to keep to the injunction, but rather went astray from it. The Jews chose Saturday for their holy day, but Adam was not created on Saturday. The Christians chose Sunday, which is the day the creation was initiated. Allah chose Friday for His Ummah because it was the day He finished the creation.
Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah heard the Messenger of Allah saying:
“We are the last to come but the First on the Day of Resurrection, though the former nations were given the scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which was made compulsory for them, but they differed about it. Allah gave us guidance to it, and all the Christians the day after tomorrow. Allah then brought us and guided us to Friday. He made them Friday, Saturday and Sunday and it is this order they will come after us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last among the people of this world and the first among the created to be judged on the Day of resurrection”.
Allah commanded the believers to gather to worship Him on Friday: ‘O you who believe, when the call is proclaimed for the Salah on Al-Jumuah (Friday) then hasten (fas’aw) to the remembrance of Allah’, meaning, go to it and head for it. The meaning of Say’ (hasten) here does not refer to walking quickly. It only refers to its importance, as for working in haste to the prayer, was indeed prohibited.
The Prophet (SAW) also says: “when you hear the Iqamah (call to prayer), proceed to offer the prayer with calmness and solemnity and do not rush. And pray whatever you catch, and complete whatever you have missed”.
Al- Hassan also commented that: “By Allah! Hastening to the Prayer is not accomplished by the feet. Indeed they were prohibited from coming to prayer without tranquility and dignity. Rather it is about the heart, the intention and the submission”.
It is recommended for those coming to the Friday prayer (Jumu’at) to perform Ghusl (spiritual bath) before they come. The Prophet (SAW) said “Ghusl on the day of Jumu’ah is Wajib (required) from every Muslim. Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said: “It is Allah’s right on every Muslim to bathe during every seven days, by washing his head and body”.
The Messenger of Allah also says: “Whoever performs Ghusl (well) on the day of Jumu’ah, recites Suratul kahf (Q 18), leaves early, walking not riding, and sits close to the Imam and listens without talking, will earn the reward of fasting and performing standing (in prayer) for an entire year for every step he takes”.
Any person who takes a spiritual bath on Friday like the bath for sexual impurity and then goes for the prayer in the first hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he had sacrificed a cow. Whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram. It one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen. Whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam appears, the angels present themselves to listen to Allah’s remembrance.
It is recommended that All Muslims should clean their bodies by performing Ghusl, wear their best clothes, apply perfume and use siwak (tooth stick) for Jumu’ah. By observing all the above mentioned injunctions, then all of Allah’s blessings will be made manifested and they will be enjoying whatever occurs between that Friday and the next Friday.
Allah said: (and leave all business) means, hastening to the remembrance of Allah and abandoning business, when the call to prayer is made. Therefore, the scholars of Islam agree that it is prohibited for Muslims to engage in business transactions after the second Adhan.
Allah’s statement (That is better for you if you did but know) means your abandoning buying and selling and instead, concentrating your attention to Allah’s remembrance and the prayers are better for you in this life and the Hereafter. Allah said further that: (then when the Salah is complete) means when the Friday prayer (Jumu’ah) is finished, you may disperse through the land and seek the bounty of Allah, after Allah forbade Muslims from working after hearing the Adhan and ordered them to gather for the Jumu’ah. He allowed them to spread throughout the earth and seek bounty after the prayer is finished. So, while you are selling and buying, giving and taking, remember Allah whole heartedly and do not let anything in this life distract you from what will benefit you in the Hereafter and you may be successful.
Friday is a special day for all Muslims and let’s all try to perform all necessary things on Friday and let’s be thankful to Allah and supplicate extremely to Allah. To all readers, we in Mighty Voice say, Jumu’ah Mubaarak!
Aminat Adesope is one of our Staff writers.
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