8 Sunnahs of Friday

Friday is an important day for Muslims, on which they gather to perform prayer in congregation, where they listen to the khutba and get weekly guidance in things related to their religion or local affairs. The worshippers then share their thoughts on this Ummah in Masjid, and greet each other with the best words and acts. The prophet (ﷺ) described Fridays as our best days because Adam was born and entered Jannah then was expelled from it on a Friday, the day of judgment will be on a Friday and many other significant events have taken place on this day of the week. "‏خير يوم طلعت عليه الشمس يوم الجمعة‏:‏ فيه خلق آدم، وفيه أدخل الجنة، وفيه أخرج منها‏"‏‏ ‏(‏‏‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏ The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On that day Adam was created, he was admitted to Jannah, and he was expelled therefrom" (Muslim) Friday is the weekly Eid of Muslims and Allah prohibited us from fasting on this day alone, without fasting a day prior or after; and the prophet (ﷺ) had some recommendations to perform on this day to get an extra reward, by following his actions. ‏ "‏إِنَّ هَذَا يَوْمُ عِيدٍ، جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ. فَمَنْ جَاءَ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ. وَإِنْ كَانَ طِيبٌ فَلْيَمَسَّ مِنْهُ. وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ ‏"‏ ‏‏(سنن ابن ماجه) The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said on Friday: “This day is an Eid (festival) which Allah has ordained for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday prayer, let him take a bath and if he has perfume then let him put some on. And I urge you to use the tooth stick” (Ibn Majah) We are so anticipated to reach Friday every week because it is our Eid, and similar to the Sunnah of Eid, Friday has its own Sunnah acts to be performed on this day. And to share the Ajer with you, we present to you 8 acts that the prophet performed on Fridays: 1. Taking a Bath (Performing Ghusl): As mentioned in the hadith above, the Prophet (ﷺ) commanded Muslims to shower on Fridays, especially men who are going to Jumu’ah prayer. 2. Wearing Perfume: The prophet used to wear his best perfume on Friday. It is recommended for men to wear perfume to Masjid on Friday, yet for women, you can perform this Sunnah at home, and not in front of non-mahrams. 3. Beautification (At-Tajammul): This sunnah includes wearing your best clothes. You may clean them, iron them and be in your best image. As part of beautification as well, you can consider cutting your nails and taking care of your skin. Men are advised to trim their moustache and organize their beards. 4. Using Siwak: The prophet (ﷺ) used to use a stick from a tree called Arak (Salvadora persica) to clean his teeth and mouth, and this has major oral hygiene benefits. You can at least brush your teeth with an intention to follow the actions of the Prophet (ﷺ), and get the Ajer for it. 5. Going early to Jumu’ah prayer (Walking): From Allah’s mercy upon women, he exempted them from Friday prayer; yet it is an imposition over men. They are requested to go to Friday Prayer - and the Sunnah is to arrive at Masjid early - and listen to the khutba carefully without hurting anyone while passing to take a seat in the masjid. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ (9) “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” (Surah Al Jumu'ah, Verse 9) 6. Read Surah Al Kahf: According to a Hadith, reciting Surah Al Kahf on the blessed Friday will provide light for the reader between the two Fridays. So do not miss reading the Surah; it will only take a few minutes from your time, but will indeed grant you a major reward. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If anyone recites Surah al-Kahf (Quran, 18) on Friday, the light will shine brightly for him till the next Friday” (Al Baihaqi) "من قَرَأَ سُورَة الْكَهْف فِي يَوْم الْجُمُعَة أَضَاء لَهُ النُّور مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمْعَتَيْنِ" (رواه البيهقي) 7. Making Dua’a: The Prophet(ﷺ) said: "On Friday there is a particular hour, if a Muslim happens to be praying and invoking Allah for something good during that time, Allah will surely fulfill his request" (Al Bukhari) "‏ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا مُسْلِمٌ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي، فَسَأَلَ اللَّهَ خَيْرًا، إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ ‏" (رواه البخاري) As promised by our beloved Prophet (ﷺ), there is a time of response to your dua’a on this day of the week, that only Allah knows its exact time. It is said that the time of response is between Asr and Maghrib, but Allah knows better. Try to make Dua’a throughout the day, so that you can hit the time when no dua’a is denied. So simply beg Allah for forgiveness and make several dua’as that you wish to have answered. 8. Making Durood (Sending Blessings on our Prophet (ﷺ)): Starting from Friday night, it is desirable to send blessings on our beloved prophet (ﷺ). This is not limited to Friday only, yet we should recite durood daily. You can say for example ‘Allahumma salli ‘ala sayidina Muhammad’, – or you can choose any formula you want: The prophet (ﷺ) will be informed that this particular person is sending him greetings, and he will reply to his greetings! By reciting one blessing on prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), 10 sins will be forgiven, Allah blesses you 10 times, 10 good deeds will be written for you and you are elevated 10 ranks! Not only this, but you will also sense the blessing in your life and work that these words will bring you. Allah gave us many opportunities to gather hasanat and get closer to him. And Friday is one of the opportunities that Allah offered us for this purpose. So, let’s benefit from the blessing and beauty of this day, at least by reviving the acts that the prophet used to do. "‏مَنْ أَحْيَا سُنَّةً مِنْ سُنَّتِي فَعَمِلَ بِهَا النَّاسُ كَانَ لَهُ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا لاَ يَنْقُصُ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْئًا‏"‏ ‏(سنن ابن ماجه) “Whoever revives a Sunnah of mine, which people then act upon, will have a reward equivalent to that of those who act upon it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest” (Ibn Majah) 🌻 May Allah bless all your days, and help you in performing and reviving every Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ). 🌻