In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

Friday Prayer

Young Enlightened Submitters

Friday usually marks the end of the week for many of us. It is an important day in the life of a believer. Friday is mentioned by name in the Quran and this means God gave it a very special significance. God named one of the 114 suras in the Quran by the name Friday (Jumaa in Arabic). In it God gave us very important orders to follow. We will review the Sura from the Quran today in our Quranic study.

FRIDAY the 13th

It is interesting to notice that Satan and some of the evil forces tried to attach a bad name for Friday by claiming that it has a an ominous hour (bad hour) or by claiming that the combination of Friday and number 13 is a bad omen. This is completely opposite of what we learn from the choice of such a day in the Quran. This day has been chosen by God to be the day of getting together with all the other believers and do the congregation prayer.

Having the Friday prayer on that day is a sign of blessings by God and a sign for the believers to feel good and joyful for Friday and for the chance to get together with the other believers to do the Friday Prayer

TGIF

Thanks God it is Friday. It seems like Satan's game failed for most of the time. We usually hear many of the English speaking people welcoming the end of the working week by the expression TGIF. Being happy for the coming of Friday is a common sense now among many of us. The Submitters (Muslims in Arabic) are more happy for the coming of Friday since they will have the chance to do their Friday prayer and achieve one more requirement in their strife for being obedient to their One and Only God.

FRIDAY PRAYER (SALAT AL-JUMU'AH)

Friday prayer is a requirement from all the Submitters, men, women and grown up children, who can get together on Friday during noon prayer time. Friday prayer replaces the noon prayer on Friday. It is only two units (Rakaat) instead of the regular four of the noon prayer. It follows a sermon (Speech) by the leader of the prayer. It is a chance for the whole community to get together and feel united in the cause of God. Those who cannot get with the group will have to do the regular noon prayer instead. God expects us to strife and do everything possible to get with the group, delaying any business or activities until after the prayer.

Quran

I seek refuge in God from Satan the rejected

Sura 62- Friday (Al-Jumu`ah)

In the Name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
[62:1] Glorifying GOD is everything in the heavens and everything on earth; the King, the Most Sacred, the Almighty, the Most Wise.
[62:2] He is the One who sent to the gentiles a messenger from among them, to recite to them His revelations, purify them, and teach them the scripture and wisdom. Before this, they had gone far astray.
[62:3] And to many generations subsequent to them. He is the Almighty, Most Wise.
[62:4] Such is GOD's grace that He bestows upon whomever He wills. GOD is Possessor of Infinite Grace.
[62:5] The example of those who were given the Torah, then failed to uphold it, is like the donkey carrying great works of literature. Miserable indeed is the example of people who rejected GOD's revelations. GOD does not guide the wicked people.
[62:6] Say, "O you who are Jewish, if you claim that you are GOD's chosen, to the exclusion of all other people, then you should long for death if you are truthful!"
[62:7] They will never long for it, because of what they have committed. GOD is fully aware of the wicked.
[62:8] Say, "The death that you are trying to evade will catch up with you sooner or later. Then you will be returned to the Knower of all secrets and declarations, then He will inform you of everything you had done."
[62:9] O you who believe, when the Congregational Prayer (Salat Al-Jumu`ah) is announced on Friday, you shall hasten to the commemoration of GOD, and drop all business. This is better for you, if you only knew.
[62:10] Once the prayer is completed, you may spread through the land to seek GOD's bounties, and continue to remember GOD frequently, that you may succeed.
[62:11] When some of them come across a business deal, or some entertainment, they rush to it and leave you standing! Say, "What GOD possesses is far better than the entertainment or the business. GOD is the best Provider."

Vocabulary

sacred = holy

gentiles = people who did not follow any of the religions of God.

bestows = to provide.

infinite= endless.

Torah= The Holy book given to Moses to deliver to the Jews.

wicked= very bad, evil.

congregation= a gathering or assembly of people.

Commemoration= remembering and calling on (God).

bounties= blessings, grants, provisions

Quiz
  1. How many units (Rakaat) are there in a noon prayer?
  2. How many units in a Friday Prayer?
  3. What is the day of the week that is mentioned by name in the Quran ?
  4. What is the month of the year that is mentioned by name in the Quran?
  5. If you have business during Friday peayer, what are you supposed to do ?
  6. Who is supposed to attend Friday Prayer ?