Jumu’ah: The Friday Prayer

Friday is not a Sabbath and it is not a day off. But at midday it carries something no other day does: the congregational prayer that replaces Dhuhr, preceded by a sermon.

Somebody will probably take you before you have read anything about it. This page is so that you know what is happening when they do.

Who it is obligatory for

For brothers, Jumuʿah is obligatory. It is not an optional extra or a better version of Dhuhr — on Friday it is the midday prayer, and it must be prayed in congregation at the masjid. A man who is able to attend and does not is neglecting an obligation, not missing out on a bonus.

For sisters, it is not obligatory — but you are welcome, it is rewarded, and most masjids have a women's section for it. Many reverts find Friday the easiest day to start attending, because the building is full and there are people to meet.

How it differs from an ordinary Dhuhr

• It is two rakʿah, not four. The sermon takes the place of the other two.
• It is preceded by a khutbah — a sermon in two parts, with the imam sitting briefly between them.
• The imam recites aloud in both rakʿah, as he would in Fajr.
• It must be in congregation. You cannot pray Jumuʿah alone at home. If you miss it, you pray Dhuhr — four rakʿah, as normal.

What actually happens

1. People arrive early and pray two rakʿah on entering, then sit and read Qur'an or make duʿā' quietly until the khutbah begins.
2. The adhan is called.
3. The imam stands at the mimbar — the raised steps — and delivers the first part of the khutbah.
4. He sits down briefly. This short pause separates the two parts.
5. He stands and delivers the second part, which usually ends with duʿā'.
6. The iqamah is called.
7. Everyone stands in rows and prays two rakʿah behind him, with the recitation aloud.

In most Canadian masjids the khutbah is partly or wholly in English, with the required Arabic portions retained. Ask beforehand if you want to know what to expect.

Silence once the imam takes the mimbar

This is the rule new Muslims most often break, and it is the one worth learning before you go rather than after.

From the moment the imam ascends the mimbar until the prayer ends, you do not speak. Not to greet someone, not to answer a question, not to make room for a latecomer with words.

A further narration adds that whoever engages in such talk has no Jumuʿah. The scholars understand this to mean the reward and virtue of Jumuʿah are lost — you have attended and prayed, and it has become, in effect, no better than having stayed home and prayed Dhuhr.

So: phone off, not on silent. If someone speaks to you, do not answer. If you need to signal something, use your hand.

The reward for coming early

There is a reward attached to the hour you arrive, and it is described in a way nobody forgets.

A camel, a cow, a ram, a hen, an egg. The difference between the first arrival and the last is not small, and it costs nothing but leaving the house earlier.

The final line is the one worth sitting with: the angels are recording who comes, and they stop recording when the imam stands. Someone arriving after that is not written down at all.

Before you go

• Ghusl. Strongly recommended before Jumuʿah — some scholars hold it obligatory for men. See how to perform ghusl.
• Clean clothes, and your best if you have them. Friday is the one day of the week to dress for.
• Perfume for brothers is recommended. Sisters do not wear scent that will be noticed outside the home.
• Surah al-Kahf — chapter 18 — is recommended to read on Fridays. Do not worry about this until the rest is settled.
• Arrive early. See above.

If you arrive late

If the imam is already speaking, come in quietly and sit down. Do not greet anyone.

If you catch at least one full rakʿah with the imam, stand after he gives the salām and complete the second rakʿah on your own. Your Jumuʿah counts.

If you arrive after that, you have missed Jumuʿah. Pray Dhuhr instead — four rakʿah — either there or at home.

◇ Scholars differ

Arriving during the khutbah. Some schools hold you should still pray two short rakʿah on entering before sitting, keeping them brief. Others hold you should sit immediately and pray nothing. Watch what people around you do, or ask beforehand.

Ghusl before Jumuʿah. Held obligatory for men by some scholars, strongly recommended by the majority.

Sunnah prayers around it. Practice on what is prayed before and after Jumuʿah varies between schools. Follow your masjid.

If you work Fridays

For brothers this is a real problem, because Jumuʿah is obligatory and it happens in the middle of a working day.

In Canada, religious observance is a protected ground and employers have a duty to accommodate short of undue hardship. In practice most arrangements are ordinary: a longer lunch break on Fridays, made up elsewhere in the week; a shifted start time; or working the hour back.

Ask early, in writing, and matter-of-factly — as a scheduling matter rather than a favour. It is far easier to arrange in advance than to explain after you have disappeared for ninety minutes.