Originally posted 2017-03-25 00:00:26.

Importance and Virtues of Friday Prayer 

Question:

Is there an excuse for not attending the Friday Prayer?

Answer:

The main purpose of our creation is to worship Allah Almighty alone. The Qur’an says:

And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

Seeking knowledge, education, or getting a job are all recommended, but what is most important is answering the call of prayer once it is due. It was narrated that Ibn Um Maktum asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying: “O Messenger of Allah, I am a blind man, my house is far away (from the mosque), and I have a guide who does not follow me. Is it possible that permission be granted to me for saying prayer in my house? He asked: Do you hear summons (adhan)? He said: Yes. He said: I do not find any permission for you.” (Abu Dawud)

We hear in the adhan (call to prayer), Come to the prayer, Come to success. The ultimate success is achieved by answering the call of Allah while the ultimate loss is neglecting His call. Friday is a surah in the Book of Allah that was named after a verse within it which says,

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 is better for you, if you only knew. (Al-Jumu`ah 62:9)

The verse urges a Muslim to leave everything in his hand and to go as early as possible to the mosque before the Imam climbs the minbar.  Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported:

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “He who takes a bath on Friday, like the bath for ceremonial purity, and then goes (to the mosque), he is like one who offers a camel as a sacrifice to seek the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the second hour is like one who offers a cow to win the Pleasure of Allah; and he who comes at the third hour is like one who offers a ram with horns (in sacrifice); and he who comes at the fourth hour is like one who offers a hen; and he who comes at the fifth hour is like one who offers an egg. And when the Imam ascends the pulpit, the angels (who write the names of those who come to the mosque before the coming of the Imam) close (their record) in order to listen to the Khutbah.” (Agreed Upon)

Warning against Neglecting Friday Prayer

It was narrated from Abu Al-Ja`d Ad-Damri -who was a Companion of the Prophet – that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever missed three jumu`ahs out of negligence, Allah Almighty will place a seal over his heart.” (An-Nasai’)

Watch to learn more about the rulings of the Friday and the consequences of not offering it.

____________________________

Source: Iqra Youtube Channel.