Salatul Jumu’ah (Congregational Prayer) – JSS2 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Salatul Jumu’ah is the compulsory congregational prayer that Muslims perform on Friday in place of Zuhr.

What is Salatul Jumu’ah?

Salatul Jumu’ah, or Friday Prayer, is a weekly congregational prayer in Islam.

• Meaning of the word: “Jumu’ah” means “gathering” or “assembly” in Arabic.
• Replaces Zuhr: it takes the place of the regular Zuhr (noon) prayer on Fridays.
• Purpose: Muslims meet to worship Allah, listen to religious guidance and strengthen community bonds.
• Source: Allah mentions it in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Al-Jumu’ah (Chapter 62).

Behavioural objectives

1. Explain the meaning of Salatul Jumu’ah and give evidence for its importance.
2. State who must attend Jumu’ah and who is exempted.
3. List the conditions for a valid Jumu’ah prayer.
4. Describe the preparations, the Khutbah and the steps of the prayer.
5. State what a Muslim should do after missing Jumu’ah.
6. List the benefits of Salatul Jumu’ah.

Why is Salatul Jumu’ah important?

Salatul Jumu’ah is important because Allah commanded it, the Prophet stressed it and Friday is the best day of the week.

• Commanded by Allah in the Qur’an: “O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, rush to the remembrance of Allah and leave all business. That is better for you, if only you knew.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah, 62:9)
• Emphasised by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him): The Prophet said: “People must stop neglecting the Friday prayers, or Allah will seal their hearts and they will be among the heedless.” (Sahih Muslim)
• A special day in Islam: The Prophet said: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On this day Adam was created, on this day he entered Paradise, and on this day he was expelled from it. And the Last Hour will take place on no day other than Friday.” (Sahih Muslim)
• Forgiveness of sins: The Prophet said: “Whoever performs ghusl (ritual bath) on Friday, purifies himself as much as he can, uses oil (on his hair) or perfume, then comes to the mosque and does not separate two people (by sitting between them), then prays as much as Allah has written for him, then listens quietly when the Imam speaks, his sins between this Friday and the next Friday will be forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari)

Who must attend Jumu’ah prayer?

Salatul Jumu’ah is obligatory (fard) for adult, sane, resident, healthy Muslim men who have no valid excuse.

Those who must attend

• Adult Muslim men: males who have reached puberty.
• Sane persons: people of sound mind.
• Free persons: this condition belongs to the time of slavery and does not apply today.
• Residents: people living in the town, not travellers.
• Healthy persons: people who are not seriously ill.
• People with no valid excuse: nothing prevents their attendance.

Those exempted from attendance

• Women: they are not required, but they may attend if they wish.
• Children: those who have not reached puberty.
• The sick: those who would face hardship in attending.
• Travellers: people on a journey.
• People in dangerous weather: extreme conditions make travel unsafe.
• Carers: those looking after someone who cannot be left alone.
• People in danger: those who fear for their safety or security.

What is the time of Jumu’ah prayer?

Jumu’ah is prayed during the time of Zuhr, from when the sun passes its zenith until Asr time begins.

• Common practice: most mosques schedule it shortly after midday so people can return to work afterwards.

What makes a Jumu’ah prayer valid?

A valid Jumu’ah prayer needs five conditions: proper time, a community setting, a congregation, permission from the authorities and the Khutbah.

1. Proper time: it must be performed during Zuhr time.
2. Community setting: it should be held in a city, town or village where people live permanently, not in remote areas.
3. Congregation (Jama’ah): a minimum number must attend. Scholars differ on the number: some say 3, others say 12, 40 or more.
4. Permission from authorities: in Muslim lands it traditionally requires the permission of the ruler or governing authorities.
5. Khutbah (sermon): two sermons must be delivered before the prayer.

What should a Muslim do before attending Jumu’ah?

Before Jumu’ah a Muslim should take a bath, dress cleanly, use perfume and miswak, go early and make du’a.

1. Ghusl (ritual bath): a full bath on Friday is highly recommended (sunnah mu’akkadah). The Prophet said: “Ghusl on Friday is obligatory (wajib) for every adult.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Most scholars explain that “obligatory” here means strongly encouraged.
2. Clean clothing: clean, presentable clothes show respect for this special prayer.
3. Perfume (for men): men are encouraged to use a pleasant scent when going to the mosque.
4. Miswak (tooth-cleaning stick): cleaning the teeth is recommended before prayer.
5. Going early to the mosque: the earlier one arrives, the greater the reward. The Prophet said: “Whoever takes a bath on Friday and goes early to the mosque walking, not riding, and sits close to the Imam and listens attentively without talking, will get the reward of one year of fasting and praying for each step he takes.” (Tirmidhi)
6. Making du’a (supplication): there is a short hour on Friday when prayers are more likely to be accepted. The Prophet said: “There is an hour on Friday when a Muslim, while praying and asking something from Allah, is granted their wish. This hour is short.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

What is the Khutbah (sermon)?

The Khutbah is the sermon the Imam delivers before the Jumu’ah prayer, and it is a required part of Jumu’ah.

Nature of the Khutbah

• Two sermons: the Imam sits briefly between them.
• Language: it should be delivered in a language most attendees understand.
• Place in the prayer: it takes the place of the first two rak’ahs of Zuhr.

Contents of the Khutbah

• Praise of Allah: the sermon begins by praising Him.
• Blessings on the Prophet: prayers for Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
• Qur’an: recitation of at least one verse.
• Advice: reminders about Islamic teachings.
• Du’a: supplication for Muslims.

Etiquette during the Khutbah

• Silence: sit quietly and attentively.
• No talking: do not talk, even to tell others to be quiet.
• No fidgeting: do not play with phones, prayer beads or clothes.
• Respect for others: do not step over people unnecessarily.
• Silent du’a: make du’a silently when the Imam supplicates.

How is Salatul Jumu’ah performed?

Jumu’ah is performed in three stages: the Adhan, the Khutbah and a two-rak’ah prayer led by the Imam.

1. The Adhan (call to prayer): in the Prophet’s time there was one Adhan, given just before the Khutbah. Most mosques today give two. The extra, earlier Adhan was added later to remind people to come.
2. The Khutbah: after the Adhan, the Imam delivers two sermons with a short sitting between them.
3. The prayer: after the sermons, the Imam leads two rak’ahs, recited aloud.

Recommended surahs for Jumu’ah prayer

• First rak’ah: Surah Al-A’la (Chapter 87) or Surah Al-Jumu’ah (Chapter 62).
• Second rak’ah: Surah Al-Ghashiyah (Chapter 88) or Surah Al-Munafiqun (Chapter 63).

What is the difference between Jumu’ah and Zuhr?

Jumu’ah is the two-rak’ah congregational prayer of Friday. Zuhr is the four-rak’ah noon prayer prayed on other days.

What should a Muslim do if they miss Jumu’ah?

A person who misses Jumu’ah prays the regular Zuhr prayer of four rak’ahs instead.

• No make-up prayer: there is no qada for Jumu’ah. One simply prays Zuhr.
• Without a valid excuse: missing Jumu’ah is sinful.

What if someone arrives late?

• Catches at least one full rak’ah with the Imam: they add a second rak’ah after the Imam finishes and so complete Jumu’ah.
• Arrives after that point or after the Imam has finished: they pray Zuhr (four rak’ahs).

What other acts are recommended on Friday?

Besides the prayer, Friday has three recommended acts: reciting Surah Al-Kahf, sending blessings on the Prophet and making extra du’a.

• Reciting Surah Al-Kahf (Chapter 18): the Prophet said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between the two Fridays.” (Bayhaqi)
• Sending blessings on the Prophet: the Prophet said: “Send abundant blessings upon me on Friday, for it is witnessed (by angels), and your blessings are presented to me.” (Abu Dawud)
• Making extra du’a: many scholars believe the hour when supplications are answered is the last hour before sunset. Others say it is during the Khutbah or the prayer.

What are the benefits of Salatul Jumu’ah?

Regular attendance at Jumu’ah brings spiritual, social and educational benefits.

Spiritual benefits

• Duty fulfilled: a major religious obligation is completed.
• Forgiveness: sins between one Friday and the next may be forgiven.
• Guidance: the sermon gives direction for daily life.
• Reward: worship on this blessed day earns increased reward.
• Closeness to Allah: one’s connection with Allah grows stronger.

Social benefits

• Regular meeting: Muslims see one another every week.
• Community bonds: relationships between neighbours grow stronger.
• Information: worshippers stay informed about community affairs.
• Helping others: there is a chance to assist people in need.
• Unity: it builds brotherhood and sisterhood.

Educational benefits

• Teaching: worshippers learn Islamic teachings through the sermon.
• Current issues: they hear present-day matters explained from an Islamic view.
• Weekly reminder: basic principles are repeated every week.
• Questions: worshippers can ask scholars questions after prayer.
• Different speakers: they hear different speakers and points of view.

How did Jumu’ah prayer begin?

The first Jumu’ah in Madinah was prayed before the Prophet (peace be upon him) arrived there.

• Before the Hijrah: some reports say it was led by Mus’ab ibn Umayr, whom the Prophet had sent to Madinah to teach Islam.
• During the Hijrah: the first Jumu’ah led by the Prophet was on his way from Quba into Madinah, in the area of the Banu Salim.
• In Madinah: after settling there, the Prophet regularly led Jumu’ah in his mosque.

What are the common mistakes regarding Jumu’ah?

The common mistakes are wrong ideas or habits that reduce the benefit of Friday prayer.

• Thinking women cannot attend: it is not obligatory for women, but they may attend and gain the same spiritual benefits.
• Rushing the Khutbah: it should be of moderate length and address useful topics.
• Talking during the sermon: talking or checking phones reduces the purpose and blessing of attending.
• Coming late habitually: arriving only for the prayer means missing the sermon, which is an essential part of Jumu’ah.
• Leaving immediately after prayer: rushing out without du’a or greeting others weakens the community side of the gathering.

How does Jumu’ah bring Muslims together?

Jumu’ah brings believers together whatever their social status, race or background.

• Equality: in the rows, a company director may stand shoulder to shoulder with a labourer. This shows equality before Allah.
• Religious identity: regular attendance helps Muslims keep their identity, especially in non-Muslim countries.
• Guidance on modern life: the Khutbah addresses present-day issues from an Islamic point of view.

Evaluation

1. What does the word “Jumu’ah” mean?
2. Name four groups of people who are exempted from attending Jumu’ah.
3. List the five conditions for a valid Jumu’ah prayer.
4. State four things a Muslim should do before going to Jumu’ah.
5. What should a person do if they arrive after the Imam has finished the Jumu’ah prayer?

Assignment

1. In your notebook, write down the contents of the Khutbah and four rules of behaviour during the Khutbah. Then list three spiritual benefits and three social benefits of attending Salatul Jumu’ah.