بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Assalamu Alaikum.

So, today is the 10th of Muharram.

It’s got quite a backstory – and also lots of virtues (mentioned towards the end of this post). However, it isn’t the only day of the year which has virtues.

Imam Ibn Rajab (rahimahullah) wrote a book “Lataif Al-Maarif” in which he mentioned the virtues of some months and of the seasons. I thought it was a great idea so I took that idea for this post and added the days of the week as well.

So, the days of the week are mentioned and then the months and then the seasons.

Of course, every day contains times of virtue and importance.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : الَّذِي تَفُوتُهُ صَلاَةُ الْعَصْرِ فَكَأَنَّمَا وُتِرَ أَهْلَهُ وَمَالَهُ ‏ 

Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever misses the Asr prayer, then it is as if he was robbed of his family and his property.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 175. Graded “sahih’ (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ يَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا حِينَ يَبْقَى ثُلُثُ اللَّيْلِ الآخِرُ يَقُولُ مَنْ يَدْعُونِي فَأَسْتَجِيبَ لَهُ مَنْ يَسْأَلُنِي فَأُعْطِيَهُ مَنْ يَسْتَغْفِرُنِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: “Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 246]

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ لاَ يُرَدُّ الدُّعَاءُ بَيْنَ الأَذَانِ وَالإِقَامَةِ ‏

Narrated Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet said (sallallahu alaihi wasallam): The supplication made between the adhan and the iqamah is not rejected. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 521. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

This post though is basically a summary of all the important occasions so that we can benefit from them.

 

DAYS

 

Let’s start with the days of the year. There is one hadeeth which mentions something that happened on each day of the year:

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَخَذَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِيَدِي فَقَالَ ‏ :‏ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ التُّرْبَةَ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ وَخَلَقَ فِيهَا الْجِبَالَ يَوْمَ الأَحَدِ وَخَلَقَ الشَّجَرَ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَخَلَقَ الْمَكْرُوهَ يَوْمَ الثُّلاَثَاءِ وَخَلَقَ النُّورَ يَوْمَ الأَرْبِعَاءِ وَبَثَّ فِيهَا الدَّوَابَّ يَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ وَخَلَقَ آدَمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فِي آخِرِ الْخَلْقِ وَفِي آخِرِ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ سَاعَاتِ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيمَا بَيْنَ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى اللَّيْلِ ‏ 

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) took hold of my hands and said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, created the clay on Saturday and He created the mountains on Sunday and He created the trees on Monday and He created the things entailing labour on Tuesday and created light on Wednesday and He caused the animals to spread on Thursday and created Adam (alaihissalaam) after Asr on Friday; the last creation at the last hour of the hours of Friday, i. e. between afternoon (Asr) and night. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6707]


FRIDAY

Let’s start with Friday (Yawm Al-Jumuah).

(Please note that Friday starts at Maghrib of Thursday and ends at Maghrib of Friday. This is relevant with regards to some of the deeds that are meant to be done on this day.)

Importance and Virtues of Friday

What’s so great about Friday? Well, for starters, it’s the best day of the week, and a number of important incidents took place on it, like the creation of the Adam (alaihissalaam) which was mentioned in the first hadeeth in this section.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ وَفِيهِ أُخْرِجَ مِنْهَا وَلاَ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ إِلاَّ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ 

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he was made to enter Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the last hour will take place on no day other than Friday. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1857]

 عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ النَّفْخَةُ وَفِيهِ الصَّعْقَةُ فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَىَّ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ صَلاَتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَىَّ  ‏.‏ قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ صَلاَتُنَا عَلَيْكَ وَقَدْ أَرِمْتَ يَقُولُونَ بَلِيتَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ :‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ أَجْسَادَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ ‏

Narrated Aws ibn Aws (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Messenger of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 1047. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ الطُّورَ فَوَجَدْتُ ثَمَّ كَعْبًا فَمَكَثْتُ أَنَا وَهُوَ يَوْمًا أُحَدِّثُهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَيُحَدِّثُنِي عَنِ التَّوْرَاةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :‏ خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ أُهْبِطَ وَفِيهِ تِيبَ عَلَيْهِ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ مَا عَلَى الأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ إِلاَّ وَهِيَ تُصْبِحُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مُصِيخَةً حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ شَفَقًا مِنَ السَّاعَةِ إِلاَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ وَفِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُصَادِفُهَا مُؤْمِنٌ وَهُوَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ  ‏.‏ فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ بَلْ هِيَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقَرَأَ كَعْبٌ التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ صَدَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هُوَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَخَرَجْتُ فَلَقِيتُ بَصْرَةَ بْنَ أَبِي بَصْرَةَ الْغِفَارِيَّ فَقَالَ مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتَ قُلْتُ مِنَ الطُّورِ ‏.‏ قَالَ لَوْ لَقِيتُكَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُ لَمْ تَأْتِهِ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَلِمَ قَالَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏: لاَ تُعْمَلُ الْمَطِيُّ إِلاَّ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَسْجِدِي وَمَسْجِدِ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ ‏ ‏.‏ فَلَقِيتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ سَلاَمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي خَرَجْتُ إِلَى الطُّورِ فَلَقِيتُ كَعْبًا فَمَكَثْتُ أَنَا وَهُوَ يَوْمًا أُحَدِّثُهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَيُحَدِّثُنِي عَنِ التَّوْرَاةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :‏ خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ أُهْبِطَ وَفِيهِ تِيبَ عَلَيْهِ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ مَا عَلَى الأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ إِلاَّ وَهِيَ تُصْبِحُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مُصِيخَةً حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ شَفَقًا مِنَ السَّاعَةِ إِلاَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ وَفِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُصَادِفُهَا عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ وَهُوَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏‏.‏ قَالَ كَعْبٌ ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ كَذَبَ كَعْبٌ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ كَعْبٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هُوَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ صَدَقَ كَعْبٌ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ تِلْكَ السَّاعَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَخِي حَدِّثْنِي بِهَا ‏.‏ قَالَ هِيَ آخِرُ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ فَقُلْتُ أَلَيْسَ قَدْ سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏: لاَ يُصَادِفُهَا مُؤْمِنٌ وَهُوَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ ‏ ‏.‏ وَلَيْسَتْ تِلْكَ السَّاعَةَ صَلاَةٌ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ قَدْ سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏:‏ مَنْ صَلَّى وَجَلَسَ يَنْتَظِرُ الصَّلاَةَ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي صَلاَتِهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَهُ الصَّلاَةُ الَّتِي تُلاَقِيهَا ‏‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهُوَ كَذَلِكَ

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) said: “I went out to At-Tur and met Kab. He and I spent a day together, when I narrated things to him from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and he narrated things to me from the Tawrah. I said to him: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam was created, on this day he was sent down, on it repentance was accepted, on this day he died, and on this day the Hour will begin. There is no living creature on Earth that does not listen out from Friday morning until the sun rises, fearing the onset of the Hour, except the son of Adam. On (Friday) there is an hour in which, if a believer prays and asks Allah for something, He will give it to him. Kab said: Is than one day in every year? I said: No, it is every Friday.’ Then Kab read in the Tawrah and said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) spoke the truth; it is every Friday. Then I went out and met Basrah bin Abi Basrah Al-Ghifari. He said: From where have you come? I said: From At-Tur. He said: If I had met you before you went there, you would not have gone. I said to him: Why? He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: Do not travel especially to visit a masjid except three: Al Masjid Al Haram (in Makkah), my masjid (in Al-Madinah) and the Masjid of Bait Al-Maqdis (in Jerusalem). Then I met Abdullah bin Salam and said: ‘If you had only seen me, I went to At-Tur and met Kab, and he and I spent the day together, when I narrated things to him from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and he narrated things to me from the Tawrah. I said to him: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam was created, on this day he was sent down, on it repentance was accepted, on this day he died, and on this day the Hour will begin. There is no living creature on Earth that does not listen out from Friday morning until the sun rises, fearing the onset of the Hour, except the son of Adam. On (Friday) there is an hour in which, if a believer prays and asks Allah for something, He will give it to him. Kab said: That is one day in every year. Abdullah bin Salam said: Kab is not telling the truth. I said: Then Kab read (in the Tawrah) and said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) spoke the truth; it is every Friday. Abdullah said: Kab spoke the truth; I know when that time is. I said: O my brother, tell me about it. He said: It is the last hour of Friday, before the sun sets. I said: Did you hear the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: If a believer prays, but that is not a time for prayer. He said: Did you not hear the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: Whoever prays and sits waiting for the (next) prayer, is in a state of prayer until the next prayer comes? I said: Of course. He said: That is what it is.” [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 1431. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

 عَنْ أَبِي لُبَابَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُنْذِرِ، قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ سَيِّدُ الأَيَّامِ وَأَعْظَمُهَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ وَهُوَ أَعْظَمُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ مِنْ يَوْمِ الأَضْحَى وَيَوْمِ الْفِطْرِ فِيهِ خَمْسُ خِلاَلٍ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ آدَمَ وَأَهْبَطَ اللَّهُ فِيهِ آدَمَ إِلَى الأَرْضِ وَفِيهِ تَوَفَّى اللَّهُ آدَمَ وَفِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا الْعَبْدُ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ مَا لَمْ يَسْأَلْ حَرَامًا وَفِيهِ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ مَا مِنْ مَلَكٍ مُقَرَّبٍ وَلاَ سَمَاءٍ وَلاَ أَرْضٍ وَلاَ رِيَاحٍ وَلاَ جِبَالٍ وَلاَ بَحْرٍ إِلاَّ وَهُنَّ يُشْفِقْنَ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ

It was narrated that Abu Lubabah bin Abdul-Mundhir (radiallahu anhu) said: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Friday is the chief of days, the greatest day before Allah. It is greater before Allah then the Day of Adha and the Day of Fitr. It has five characteristics: On it Allah created Adam; on it Allah sent down Adam to this earth; on it there is a time during which a person does not ask Allah for anything but He will give it to him, so long as he does not ask for anything that is forbidden; on it the Hour will begin. There is no angel who is close to Allah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain, and no sea that does not fear Friday.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1084. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani]

Muslims were the ones that got Friday whereas the earlier nations did not.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، وَحُذَيْفَة، قَالاَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ أَضَلَّ اللَّهُ عَنِ الْجُمُعَةِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَنَا فَكَانَ لِلْيَهُودِ يَوْمُ السَّبْتِ وَكَانَ لِلنَّصَارَى يَوْمُ الأَحَدِ فَجَاءَ اللَّهُ بِنَا فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ لِيَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَجَعَلَ الْجُمُعَةَ وَالسَّبْتَ وَالأَحَدَ وَكَذَلِكَ هُمْ تَبَعٌ لَنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا وَالأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الْمَقْضِيُّ لَهُمْ قَبْلَ الْخَلاَئِقِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي رِوَايَةِ وَاصِلٍ الْمَقْضِيُّ بَيْنَهُمْ ‏.‏

It is narrated by Abu Hurairah (radiallahu) and Hudhaifah (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: It was Friday from which Allah diverted those who were before us. For the Jews (the day set aside for prayer) was Sabt (Saturday), and for the Christians it was Sunday. And Allah turned towards us and guided us to Friday (as the day of prayer) for us. In fact, He (Allah) made Friday, Saturday and Sunday (as days of prayer). In this order would they (Jews and Christians) come after us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of (the Ummahs) among the people in this world and the first among the created to be judged on the Day of Resurrection. In one narration it is: ‘to be judged among them”. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1862]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ الأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ وَنَحْنُ أَوَّلُ مَنْ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا وَأُوتِينَاهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ لِمَا اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ مِنَ الْحَقِّ فَهَذَا يَوْمُهُمُ الَّذِي اخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ هَدَانَا اللَّهُ لَهُ – قَالَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ – فَالْيَوْمُ لَنَا وَغَدًا لِلْيَهُودِ وَبَعْدَ غَدٍ لِلنَّصَارَى ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: We are the last (but) we would be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we would be the first to enter Paradise, but that they were given the Book before us and we were given after them. They disagreed and Allah guided us aright on whatever they disagreed regarding the truth. And it was this day of theirs about which they disagreed, but Allah guided us to it, and that is Friday for us; the next day is for the Jews and the day following for the Christians. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1860]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ  أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ : نَحْنُ الآخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا، ثُمَّ هَذَا يَوْمُهُمُ الَّذِي فُرِضَ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ، فَهَدَانَا اللَّهُ، فَالنَّاسُ لَنَا فِيهِ تَبَعٌ، الْيَهُودُ غَدًا وَالنَّصَارَى بَعْدَ غَدٍ ‏‏‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): I heard Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying, “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection though the former nations were given the Holy Scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which was made compulsory for them but they differed about it. So Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) tomorrow (i.e. Saturday) and the Christians’ (is) the day after tomorrow (i.e. Sunday).” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 1]

And the religion of Islam was completed on none other than a Friday.

عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الْيَهُودِ لِعُمَرَ يَا أَمِيرَ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ لَوْ أَنَّ عَلَيْنَا نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ ‏{‏ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا‏}‏ لاَتَّخَذْنَا ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ عِيدًا‏.‏ فَقَالَ عُمَرُ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ أَىَّ يَوْمٍ نَزَلَتْ هَذِهِ الآيَةُ، نَزَلَتْ يَوْمَ عَرَفَةَ فِي يَوْمِ جُمُعَةٍ‏.‏ سَمِعَ سُفْيَانُ مِنْ مِسْعَرٍ وَمِسْعَرٌ قَيْسًا وَقَيْسٌ طَارِقًا‏.‏

Narrated Tariq bin Shihab (radiallahu anhu): A Jew said to Umar, “O Chief of the Believers, if this verse:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [Surah Al-Maaidah (5) : 3]

had been revealed upon us, we would have taken that day as an Eid (festival) day.” Umar said, “I know definitely on what day this Verse was revealed; it was revealed on the day of Arafah, on a Friday.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 9, Hadeeth No. 373]

Also, Friday is an Eid.

عَنْ عَمَّارِ بْنِ أَبِي عَمَّارٍ، قَالَ قَرَأَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ ‏:‏ ‏(‏ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الإِسْلاَمَ دِينًا ‏)‏ وَعِنْدَهُ يَهُودِيٌّ فَقَالَ لَوْ أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ عَلَيْنَا لاَتَّخَذْنَا يَوْمَهَا عِيدًا ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَإِنَّهَا نَزَلَتْ فِي يَوْمِ عِيدٍ فِي يَوْمِ جُمُعَةٍ وَيَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ 

Narrated Ammar bin Abee Ammar: “Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) recited:

الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا

This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion. [Surah Al-Maaidah (5) : 3]

And a Jew was with him who said: ‘If this Ayah (verse) was revealed to us then we would have taken that day as a day of Eid (celebration).’ So Ibn Abbas said: ‘Indeed it was revealed on (two) Eids: On Friday, and on the Day of Arafah.’ [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth 3044. Graded “sahih al-isnad” (authentic chain of narrators) by Al-Albani.]

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏:‏ إِنَّ هَذَا يَوْمُ عِيدٍ جَعَلَهُ اللَّهُ لِلْمُسْلِمِينَ فَمَنْ جَاءَ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ وَإِنْ كَانَ طِيبٌ فَلْيَمَسَّ مِنْهُ وَعَلَيْكُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ 

It was narrated that Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘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 upon you (I urge to use) is the siwak (tooth stick).” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1098. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani]

Also, whoever dies on Friday will be safe from the trials of the grave.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ مَا مِنْ مُسْلِمٍ يَمُوتُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ أَوْ لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ إِلاَّ وَقَاهُ اللَّهُ فِتْنَةَ الْقَبْرِ ‏

Abdullah bin Amr (radiallahu anhuma) narrated that: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “No Muslim dies on the day of Friday, nor the night of Friday, except that Allah protects him from the trials of the grave.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 1074. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

The virtues of Friday don’t end there though. There are more:

وَالْيَوْمِ الْمَوْعُودِ

وَشَاهِدٍ وَمَشْهُودٍ

And by the Promised Day; And by the witnessing day, and by the witnessed day; [Surah Al-Burooj (85) : 2-3]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ الْيَوْمُ الْمَوْعُودُ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالْيَوْمُ الْمَشْهُودُ يَوْمُ عَرَفَةَ وَالشَّاهِدُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَمَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَلاَ غَرَبَتْ عَلَى يَوْمٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ بِخَيْرٍ إِلاَّ اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَلاَ يَسْتَعِيذُ مِنْ شَرٍّ إِلاَّ أَعَاذَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrated that  the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Al-Yawmul-Mawud (the Promised Day) is the Day of Resurrection, and Al-Yawmul-Mashhud (the Attended Day) is the Day of Arafah, and Ash-Shahid (the witness) is Friday.” He said: “The sun does not rise nor set, upon a day that is more virtuous than it. In it, there is an hour in which no believing worshipper makes a supplication to Allah for good, except that Allah answers it for him, and he does not seek Allah’s aid for something, except that He aids him in it.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 3339. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani]

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ لَسُوقًا يَأْتُونَهَا كُلَّ جُمُعَةٍ فَتَهُبُّ رِيحُ الشَّمَالِ فَتَحْثُو فِي وُجُوهِهِمْ وَثِيَابِهِمْ فَيَزْدَادُونَ حُسْنًا وَجَمَالاً فَيَرْجِعُونَ إِلَى أَهْلِيهِمْ وَقَدِ ازْدَادُوا حُسْنًا وَجَمَالاً فَيَقُولُ لَهُمْ أَهْلُوهُمْ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدِ ازْدَدْتُمْ بَعْدَنَا حُسْنًا وَجَمَالاً ‏.‏ فَيَقُولُونَ وَأَنْتُمْ وَاللَّهِ لَقَدِ ازْدَدْتُمْ بَعْدَنَا حُسْنًا وَجَمَالاً ‏

Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) reported that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: In Paradise there is a street to which they would come every Friday. The north wind will blow and would scatter fragrance on their faces and on their clothes and would add to their beauty and loveliness, and then they would go back to their family after having an added lustre to their beauty and loveliness, and their family would say to them: By Allah, you have been increased in beauty and loveliness after leaving us, and they would say: By Allah, you have also increased in beauty and loveliness after us. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6792]

Also, the believers will see Allah in Paradise every Friday. Here’s an article that discusses this issue along with the proofs.

Also, the best prayer before Allah is held on Friday.

عن ابن عمر قال : قال الرسول صلى الله عليه وسلم : أفضل الصلوات عند الله صلاة الصبح يوم الجمعة في جماعة

It was narrated that Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma) said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “The best prayer before Allah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.” [Sahih Al-Jaami, Hadeeth No. 1119]

The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to recite two particular surahs in the Fajr prayer on Fridays.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقْرَأُ فِي الْجُمُعَةِ فِي صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ ‏{‏الم * تَنْزِيلُ‏}‏ السَّجْدَةَ وَ‏{‏هَلْ أَتَى عَلَى الإِنْسَانِ‏}‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to recite the following in the Fajr prayer of Friday, “Alif, Lam, Mim, Tanzil” (Surah As-Sajdah No. 32) and “Hal-ata-ala-l-Insani” (Surah Al-Insan No.76). [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 16]

Imam Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) pointed out something very interesting about these two surahs:

“It was said that the reason why these two soorahs are recited is because they mention the creation of Adam and what will happen on the Day of Resurrection, because that will come to pass on a Friday.”

What needs to be done on Friday:

There are certain acts that need to performed on Friday.

1. Attending the Friday Prayer (for men)

Friday is also the day of the most important prayer of the week.

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّـهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّـهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّـهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ

O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salat (prayer) on the day of Friday (Jumuah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumuah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salat (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing), that is better for you if you did but know!

Then when the (Jumuah) Salat (prayer) is finished, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allah (by working, etc.), and remember Allah much, that you may be successful. [Surah Al-Jumuah (62) : 9-10]

Imam Ibn Kathir stated in his explanation of these two verses:

“Friday is called Al-Jumuah because it is derived from Al-Jam, literally, gathering. The people of Islam gather weekly, on every Friday in the major places of worship. It was during Friday when Allah finished the creation, the sixth day, during which Allah created the heavens and earth. During Friday, Allah created Adam, and he was placed in Paradise, and ironically, it was a Friday when he was taken out of Paradise. It will be on a Friday when the Last Hour will commence. There is an hour during Friday, wherein no faithful servant asks Allah for something good, but Allah will give him what he asked for. All of this is based upon Hadiths in the authenic collections. In the ancient language Friday was called, Arubah. It is a fact that previous nations were informed about Friday, but they were led astray from it. The Jews chose Saturday for their holy day, but Adam was not created on Saturday. The Christians chose Sunday, which is the day the creation was initiated. Allah chose Friday for this Ummah, because it is the day the creation was finished. Al-Bukhari and Muslim recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«نَحْنُ الْاخِرُونَ السَّابِقُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ، بَيْدَ أَنَّهُمْ أُوتُوا الْكِتَابَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا، ثُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا يَوْمَهُمُ الَّذِي فَرَضَ اللهُ عَلَيْهِمْ فَاخْتَلَفُوا فِيهِ فَهَدَانَا اللهُ لَهُ، فَالنَّاسُ لَنَا فِيهِ تَبَعٌ، الْيَهُودُ غَدًا وَالنَّصَارَى بَعْدَ غَدٍ»

(We are the last (to come) but the first on the Day of Resurrection, though the former nations were given the Scriptures before us. And this was their day (Friday) the celebration of which was made compulsory for them, but they differed about it. So, Allah gave us guidance to it, and all other people are coming after us: the Jews tomorrow and the Christians the day after tomorrow.” This is the wording of Al-Bukhari in another narration of Muslim;

«أَضَلَّ اللهُ عَنِ الْجُمُعَةِ مَنْ كَانَ قَبْلَنَا، فَكَانَ لِلْيَهُودِ يَوْمُ السَّبْتِ، وَكَانَ لِلنَّصَارَى يَوْمُ الْأَحَدِ، فَجَاءَ اللهُ بِنَا فَهَدَانَا اللهُ لِيَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ، فَجَعَلَ الْجُمُعَةَ وَالسَّبْتَ وَالْأَحَدَ، وَكَذَلِكَ هُمْ تَبَعٌ لَنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ نَحْنُ الْاخِرُونَ مِنْ أَهْلِ الدُّنْيَا، وَالْأَوَّلُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ الْمَقْضِيُّ بَيْنَهُمْ قَبْلَ الْخَلَائِقِ»

(Allah diverted those who were before us from Friday. For the Jews there was Saturday, and for the Christians there was Sunday. Allah then brought us and guided us to Friday. He made them; Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and it is in this order they will come after us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of among the people of this world and the first among the created to be judged on the Day of Resurrection.)

Allah commanded the believers to gather to worship Him on Friday,

﴿يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْاْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ﴾

(O you who believe! When the call is proclaimed for the Salah on Al-Jumuah (Friday), then hasten (Fasaw) to the remembrance of Allah) meaning, go to it and head for it. The meaning of Say (hasten) here does not refer to walking quickly. It only refers to the importance of it. Umar bin Al-Khattab and Ibn Masud – may Allah be pleased with them – recited it; (فَامْضُوا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللهِ) (“Then proceed to the remembrance of Allah.”) As for walking in haste to the prayer, that was indeed prohibited, since it was recorded in the Two Sahihs from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet said,

«إِذَا سَمِعْتُمُ الْإِقَامَةَ فَامْشُوا إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّكِينَةَ وَالْوَقَارَ وَلَا تُسْرِعُوا، فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا وَمَا فَاتَكُمْ فَأَتِمُّوا»

(When you hear the Iqamah, proceed to offer the prayer with calmness and solemnity and do not rush. And pray whatever you catch, and complete whatever you have missed.) This is the wording with Al-Bukhari. Abu Qatadah said, “While we were praying behind the Messenger of Allah he heard commotion. At the end of the prayer, the Prophet said;

«مَا شَأْنُكُمْ»

(What is the matter with you) They said, `We hastened to the prayer.’ The Prophet said,

«فَلَا تَفْعَلُوا، إِذَا أَتَيْتُمُ الصَّلَاةَ فَامْشُوا وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّكِينَةَ فَمَا أَدْرَكْتُمْ فَصَلُّوا وَمَا فَاتَكُمْ فَأَتِمُّوا»

(Don’t do that. When you come for prayer, there should be tranquility upon you. Pray what remains of the prayer and complete what you have missed.)” The Two Sahihs collected this Hadith. Al-Hasan commented, “By Allah! Hastening to the prayer is not accomplished by the feet. Indeed they were prohibited from coming to prayer without tranquility and dignity. Rather it is about the hearts, the intention, and the submission.” Qatadah said,

﴿فَاسْعَوْاْ إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ﴾

“(then hasten to the remembrance of Allah) means that you have to hasten to the prayer with your heart and actions, and walk to it.” It is recommended for those coming to the Friday prayer to perform Ghusl (taking bath) before they come. It is collected in the Two Sahihs that Abdullah bin Umar said that Allah’s Messenger said,

«إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْجُمُعَةَ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ»

(When one of you comes to the Friday prayer, then let him perform bath.) The Two Sahihs recorded that Abu Said said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«غُسْلُ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاجِبٌ عَلى كُلِّ مُحْتَلِمٍ»

(Ghusl on the day of Jumuah is Wajib (required) from every Muhtalim. ) Abu Hurayrah narrated that Allah’s Messenger said,

«حَقٌّ لله عَلى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَغْتَسِلَ فِي كُلِّ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ، يَغْسِلُ رَأْسَهُ وَجَسَدَهُ»

(It is Allah’s right on every Muslim to bathe during every seven days, by washing his head and body.) Muslim collected this Hadith. Jabir narrated that Allah’s Messenger said,

«عَلى كُلِّ رَجُلٍ مُسْلِمٍ فِي كُلِّ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ غُسْلُ يَوْمٍ وَهُوَ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ»

(Within every seven days, every Muslim man has the obligation to perform Ghusl at least one day, the day of Jumuah.) Ahmad, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Hibban collected this Hadith.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Aws bin Aws Ath-Thaqafi said that he heard Allah’s Messenger say,

«مَنْ غَسَّلَ وَاغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَبَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ وَمَشَى وَلَمْ يَرْكَبْ، وَدَنَا مِنَ الْإِمَامِ وَاسْتَمَعَ وَلَمْ يَلْغُ، كَانَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ أَجْرُ سَنَةٍ صِيَامُهَا وَقِيَامُهَا»

(Whoever performs Ghusl (well) on the day of Jumuah, leaves early, walking not riding, and sits close to the Imam and listens without talking, will earn the reward of fasting and performing standing (in prayer) for an entire year for every step he takes.) This Hadith has various chains of narration, the compilers of the Four Sunan collected it, and At-Tirmidhi graded it Hasan. The Two Sahihs also recorded that Abu Hurayrah said that the Messenger of Allah said,

«مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْأُولَى فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشًا أَقْرَنَ، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً، فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الْإِمَامُ حَضَرَتِ الْمَلَائِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ»

(Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath for sexual impurity and then goes for the prayer in the first hour, it is as if he had sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he had sacrificed a cow. Whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram. If one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen. Whoever goes in the fifth hour, then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam appears, the angels present themselves to listen to Allah’s remembrance.) It is recommended that one cleans his body, performs Ghusl, wears his best clothes, applies perfume and uses Siwak (tooth stick) for Jumuah. We mentioned that Abu Said narrated that the Messenger of Allah said,

«غُسْلُ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاجِبٌ عَلى كُلِّ مُحْتَلِمٍ وَالسِّوَاكُ وَأَنْ يَمَسَّ مِنْ طِيبِ أَهْلِهِ»

(Ghusl on the day of Jumuah is Wajib (required) from every Muhtalim and also using Siwak and applying some of his household’s perfume.) Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari said that he heard the Messenger of Allah say:

«مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَمَسَّ مِنْ طِيبِ أَهْلِهِ إِنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ وَلَبِسَ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ ثِيَابِهِ ثُمَّ خَرَجَ حَتْى يَأْتِيَ الْمَسْجِدَ فَيَرْكَعَ إِنْ بَدَا لَهُ وَلَمْ يُؤْذِ أَحَدًا، ثُمَّ أَنْصَتَ إِذَا خَرَجَ إِمَامُهُ حَتْى يُصَلِّيَ كَانَتْ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الْأُخْرَى»

(Whoever performs Ghusl on Friday and applies perfume, if he has any, wears his best clothes, then goes to the Masjid and performs voluntary prayer, if he wishes, does not bother anyone, listens when the Imam appears until he starts the prayer. Then all of this will be an expiation for whatever occurs between that Friday and the next Friday.) Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah recorded in their Sunans that Abdullah bin Salam said that he heard the Messenger of Allah say, while on the Minbar:

«مَا عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ لَوِ اشْتَرَى ثَوْبَيْنِ لِيَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ سِوَى ثَوْبَيْ مِهْنَتِهِ»

(What harm would it cause if one of you bought two garments for the day of Jumuah, other than the garment he wears daily) Aishah said that during a speech he gave on a Friday when he saw people wearing Nimar garments, the Messenger of Allah said,

«مَا عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ إِنْ وَجَدَ سَعَةً أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ ثَوْبَيْنِ لِجُمُعَتِهِ سِوَى ثَوْبَيْ مِهْنَتِهِ»

(When one of you has wealth, he should keep two garments for Friday, other than the two garments he has for his daily wear.) Ibn Majah collected this Hadith.

Allah said,

﴿إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ﴾

(When the call is proclaimed for the Salah on Friday,) referring to the Adhan which was called, during the time of the Prophet, when he came out of his house and sat on the Minbar. The Adhan would be called before the Prophet near the door of the Masjid. As for the earlier Adhan that the Leader of the faithful, Uthman bin Affan added, it was done because the Muslims increased in number during his time. Al-Bukhari recorded that As-Saib bin Yazid said, “In the lifetime of the Prophet, Abu Bakr and Umar, the Adhan for the Friday prayer was pronounced while the Imam sat on the pulpit. But during Uthman’s later time when the Muslims increased in number, an additional call was pronouced upon Az-Zawra, meaning the Adhan was called upon the house which was called Az-Zawra.” Az-Zawra was the tallest house in Al-Madinah near the Masjid.

Allah said,

﴿وَذَرُواْ الْبَيْعَ﴾

(and leave off business.) means, hastening to the remembrance of Allah and abandoning business, when the call to the Friday prayer is made. Therefore, the scholars of Islam agree, it is prohibited for Muslims to engage in business transactions after the second Adhan. Allah’s statement,

﴿ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾

(That is better for you if you did but know!) means, `your abandoning buying and selling, and instead, corcentrating your attention to Allah’s remembrance and the prayer are better for you in this life and the Hereafter, if you but knew.’ Allah’s statement,

﴿فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَوةُ﴾

(Then when the Salah is complete,) means, when the Friday prayer is finished,

﴿فَانتَشِرُواْ فِى الاٌّرْضِ وَابْتَغُواْ مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ﴾

(you may disperse through the land, and seek the bounty of Allah,) After Allah forbade Muslims from working after hearing the Adhan and ordered them to gather for the Friday prayer, He allowed them to spread throughout the earth and seek bounty after the prayer is finished. Ibn Abi Hatim recorded that when the Friday prayer finished, Irak bin Malik would stand by the gate of the Masjid and invoke Allah, saying, “O Allah! I have accepted and complied with Your Call, performed the prayer You ordered and dispersed as You ordered me. Therefore, grant me of Your favor and You are the best of those who grant provisions.” Allah’s statement,

﴿وَاذْكُرُواْ اللَّهَ كَثِيراً لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ﴾

(and remember Allah much, that you may be successful.) means, while you are buying and selling, giving and taking, remember Allah much and do not let this life busy you from what benefits you in the Hereafter. There is a Hadith that states,

«مَنْ دَخَلَ سُوقًا مِنَ الْأَسْوَاقِ فَقَالَ: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَلَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ، كَتَبَ اللهُ لَهُ أَلْفَ أَلْفِ حَسَنَةٍ وَمَحَا عَنْهُ أَلْفَ أَلْفِ سَيِّئَةٍ»

(Whoever enters a marketplace and says, “La ilaha illallah, He is alone without partners, His is the sovreignity and His is the praise, and He is Able to do all things.” Then Allah will record a thousand-thousand (a million) good deeds for him and will erase a thousand-thousand evil deeds.) Mujahid said, “A servant (of Allah) will not be among those who remember Allah often, until he does so while standing, sitting and lying down.”

﴿وَإِذَا رَأَوْاْ تِجَـرَةً أَوْ لَهْواً انفَضُّواْ إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَآئِماً قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَـرَةِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَزِقِينَ ﴾

(11. And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing. Say: “That which Allah has is better than any amusement or merchandise! And Allah is the best of providers.”)

Allah criticizes what happened during one Friday sermon, when a caravan arrived at Al-Madinah and the people rushed out to the merchandise. Allah said,

﴿وَإِذَا رَأَوْاْ تِجَـرَةً أَوْ لَهْواً انفَضُّواْ إِلَيْهَا وَتَرَكُوكَ قَآئِماً﴾

(And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it, and leave you standing.) meaning, on the Minbar, delivering the Khutbah. Several of the Tabiin said this, such as Abu Al-Aliyah, Al-Hasan, Zayd bin Aslam and Qatadah. Muqatil bin Hayyan said that the caravan belonged to Dihyah bin Khalifah before he became a Muslim, and there were drums accompanying it. So they rushed to the caravan and left Allah’s Messenger standing on the Minbar. Only a few remained, according to the authentic Hadith that Imam Ahmad recorded that Jabir said, “Once, a caravan arrived at Al-Madinah while Allah’s Messenger was giving a Khutbah. So, the people left, and only twelve men remained (with the Messenger). Then Allah sent down this Ayah,

﴿وَإِذَا رَأَوْاْ تِجَـرَةً أَوْ لَهْواً انفَضُّواْ إِلَيْهَا﴾

(And when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they disperse headlong to it,)’‘ The Two Sahihs also recorded this Hadith. Allah’s statement,

﴿وَتَرَكُوكَ قَآئِماً﴾

(And leave you standing.) proves that the Imam should deliver the speech on Friday while standing. In his Sahih, Imam Muslim recorded that Jabir bin Samurah said, “(During Jumuah,) the Prophet gave two speeches, and he used to sit between them. The Prophet would recite the Quran and remind the people (of Allah).” Allah’s statement,

﴿قُلْ مَا عِندَ اللَّهِ﴾

(Say: “That which Allah has…”) means the reward that is with Allah in the Hereafter,

﴿خَيْرٌ مِّنَ اللَّهْوِ وَمِنَ التِّجَـرَةِ وَاللَّهُ خَيْرُ الرَزِقِينَ﴾

(is better than any amusement or merchandise! And Allah is the best of providers.) means, for those who trust in Him and seek His provisions when they are allowed to do so.”

It’s not obligatory on every person though.

عَنْ طَارِقِ بْنِ شِهَابٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ الْجُمُعَةُ حَقٌّ وَاجِبٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ إِلاَّ أَرْبَعَةً عَبْدٌ مَمْلُوكٌ أَوِ امْرَأَةٌ أَوْ صَبِيٌّ أَوْ مَرِيضٌ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ طَارِقُ بْنُ شِهَابٍ قَدْ رَأَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَمْ يَسْمَعْ مِنْهُ شَيْئًا ‏

Narrated Tariq ibn Shihab (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: The Friday prayer in congregation is a necessary duty for every Muslim, with four exceptions; an owned slave, a woman, a boy, and a sick person.

Abu Dawud said: Tariq ibn Shihab had seen the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) but not heard anything from him. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 1067. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Women are allowed to go for the Friday prayer but it is not obligatory for them. Please refer to this article for more details.

The Friday prayer has a number of virtues.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ الصَّلاَةُ الْخَمْسُ وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ كَفَّارَةٌ لِمَا بَيْنَهُنَّ مَا لَمْ تُغْشَ الْكَبَائِرُ

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Five prayers and from one Friday prayer to (the next) Friday prayer is an expiation (of the sins committed in between their intervals) if major sins are not committed. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 448]

عَنْ سَلْمَانَ الْفَارِسِيِّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ : مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ، وَتَطَهَّرَ بِمَا اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْ طُهْرٍ، ثُمَّ ادَّهَنَ أَوْ مَسَّ مِنْ طِيبٍ، ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَلَمْ يُفَرِّقْ بَيْنَ اثْنَيْنِ، فَصَلَّى مَا كُتِبَ لَهُ، ثُمَّ إِذَا خَرَجَ الإِمَامُ أَنْصَتَ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الأُخْرَى ‏

Narrated Salman Al-Farsi (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Anyone who takes a bath on Friday and cleans himself as much as he can and puts oil (on his hair) or scents himself; and then proceeds for the prayer and does not force his way between two persons (assembled in the mosque for the Friday prayer), and prays as much as is written for him and remains quiet when the Imam delivers the Khutbah, all his sins in between the present and the last Friday will be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 33]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجُمُعَةَ فَصَلَّى مَا قُدِّرَ لَهُ ثُمَّ أَنْصَتَ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ خُطْبَتِهِ ثُمَّ يُصَلِّيَ مَعَهُ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ الأُخْرَى وَفَضْلَ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: He who took a bath and then came for Jumuah prayer and then prayed what was fixed for him, then kept silence till the Imam finished the sermon, and then prayed along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven, and even of three days more. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1867]

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْعَاصِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏:‏ مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَمَسَّ مِنْ طِيبِ امْرَأَتِهِ – إِنْ كَانَ لَهَا – وَلَبِسَ مِنْ صَالِحِ ثِيَابِهِ ثُمَّ لَمْ يَتَخَطَّ رِقَابَ النَّاسِ وَلَمْ يَلْغُ عِنْدَ الْمَوْعِظَةِ كَانَتْ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا بَيْنَهُمَا وَمَنْ لَغَا وَتَخَطَّى رِقَابَ النَّاسِ كَانَتْ لَهُ ظُهْرًا ‏

Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As (radiallahu anhuma) reported the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: Whoever washed himself on Friday and applies perfume of his wife if she has one, and wears good clothes and does not step over the necks of the people (in the mosque to sit in the front row) and does not indulge in idle talk during the sermon, that will atone (for his sins) between the two Fridays. But he who indulges in idle talk and steps over the necks of people (in the mosque), that (Friday) will be for him like the noon prayer. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 347. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ وَأَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ قَالاَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :‏ مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَلَبِسَ مِنْ أَحْسَنِ ثِيَابِهِ وَمَسَّ مِنْ طِيبٍ – إِنْ كَانَ عِنْدَهُ – ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجُمُعَةَ فَلَمْ يَتَخَطَّ أَعْنَاقَ النَّاسِ ثُمَّ صَلَّى مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ ثُمَّ أَنْصَتَ إِذَا خَرَجَ إِمَامُهُ حَتَّى يَفْرُغَ مِنْ صَلاَتِهِ كَانَتْ كَفَّارَةً لِمَا بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَ جُمُعَتِهِ الَّتِي قَبْلَهَا ‏.‏ ‏‏ قَالَ وَيَقُولُ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ ‏:‏ وَزِيَادَةُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ ‏‏ ‏.‏ وَيَقُولُ ‏: إِنَّ الْحَسَنَةَ بِعَشْرِ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏

Abu Said al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) and Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: If anyone takes a bath on Friday, puts on his best clothes, applies a touch of perfume if has any, then goes to congregational prayer (in the mosque), and takes care not to step over people, then prayer what Allah has prescribes for him, then keeps silent from the time his Imam comes out until he finishes his prayer, it will atone for his sins during the previous week. 

He (one of the narrators) said: Abu Hurairah would say: (It will atone for his sins) for three days more. He further said: One is rewarded ten times for doing a good work. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 343. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ أَتَى الْجُمُعَةَ فَاسْتَمَعَ وَأَنْصَتَ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَزِيَادَةُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَمَنْ مَسَّ الْحَصَى فَقَدْ لَغَا ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: He who performed ablution well, then came to Friday prayer, listened (to the sermon), kept silence all (his sins) between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven with three days extra, and he who touched pebbles caused an interruption. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1868]

عَنِ أَوْس بْن أَوْسٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ : مَنْ غَسَّلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ بَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ وَمَشَى وَلَمْ يَرْكَبْ وَدَنَا مِنَ الإِمَامِ فَاسْتَمَعَ وَلَمْ يَلْغُ كَانَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ عَمَلُ سَنَةٍ أَجْرُ صِيَامِهَا وَقِيَامِهَا ‏

Narrated Aws ibn Aws ath-Thaqafi (radiallahu anhu): I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: If anyone makes (his wife) wash and he washes himself on Friday, goes out early (for Friday prayer), attends the sermon from the beginning, walking, not riding, takes his seat near the imam, listens attentively, and does not indulge in idle talk, he will get the reward of a year’s fasting and praying at night for every step he takes. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 345. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

:عَنْ أَبِي سعيد الخدري أَنَّه سمع رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول

خمسٌ من عمِلهنّ في يومٍ كتبهُ اللهُ من أهلِ الجنةِ : من عادَ مريضًا ، وشهدَ جنازةً ، وصامَ يوما ، وراحَ يومَ الجمعةِ ، وأعتقَ رقبةً

ِAbu Saeed Al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) narrated that he heard the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) saying: There are five deeds and whoever does them in a day will be written by Allah among the people of Paradise: visiting the sick, joining a funeral prayer or funeral procession, fasting that day, going to a Friday prayer and freeing a slave. [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadeeth No. 2771. Shuaib Al-Arnaut stated that its “isnaad” (chain of narrators) was “qawwi” (strong).]

عَنْ يَزِيدَ بْنِ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، قَالَ لَحِقَنِي عَبَايَةُ بْنُ رِفَاعَةَ بْنِ رَافِعٍ وَأَنَا مَاشٍ، إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ أَبْشِرْ فَإِنَّ خُطَاكَ هَذِهِ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا عَبْسٍ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ مَنِ اغْبَرَّتْ قَدَمَاهُ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ فَهُمَا حَرَامٌ عَلَى النَّارِ ‏

Narrated Yazid bin Abu Maryam: “Abayah bin Rifaah bin Rafi met me while I was walking to the Friday prayer. He said: ‘Have glad tidings, for indeed these footsteps of yours are in the cause of Allah. I heard Abu Abs say: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, ‘Whoever get his two feet dusty in the path of Allah, then they are prohibited for the Fire.'” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 1632. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Missing the Friday prayer leads to grave consequences.

عَنْ أَبِي الْجَعْدِ يَعْنِي الضَّمْرِيَّ، وَكَانَتْ، لَهُ صُحْبَةٌ فِيمَا زَعَمَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَمْرٍو قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ مَنْ تَرَكَ الْجُمُعَةَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ تَهَاوُنًا بِهَا طَبَعَ اللَّهُ عَلَى قَلْبِهِ ‏

Abu Al-Jad – meaning Ad-Damri – (radiallahu anhu) narrated, and he was a Companion according to the claim of Muhammad bin Amr: “Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Whoever neglects the Friday prayer three times (in a row) without an excuse, then Allah sets a seal upon his heart.'” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 500. Graded “hasan sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ عَبْد اللَّهِ بْن عُمَر وَأَبَي هُرَيْرَة أَنَّهُمَا سَمِعَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، يَقُولُ عَلَى أَعْوَادِ مِنْبَرِهِ : لَيَنْتَهِيَنَّ أَقْوَامٌ عَنْوَدْعِهِمُ الْجُمُعَاتِ ، أَوْ لَيَخْتِمَنَّ اللَّهُ عَلَى قُلُوبِهِمْ ، ثُمَّ لَيَكُونُنَّ مِنَ الْغَافِلِينَ

Abdullah ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma) and Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) said that they heard Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say on the planks of his pulpit: People must cease to neglect the Friday prayer or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the negligent. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 1882]

Those who attend the Friday prayer have to adhere to certain etiquettes.

To start, they need to take a bath (full ghusl) before going.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : إِذَا جَاءَ أَحَدُكُمُ الْجُمُعَةَ فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ ‏

Narrated Abdullah ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 2]

عَنْ عِكْرِمَةَ، أَنَّ أُنَاسًا، مِنْ أَهْلِ الْعِرَاقِ جَاءُوا فَقَالُوا يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ أَتَرَى الْغُسْلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاجِبًا قَالَ لاَ وَلَكِنَّهُ أَطْهَرُ وَخَيْرٌ لِمَنِ اغْتَسَلَ وَمَنْ لَمْ يَغْتَسِلْ فَلَيْسَ عَلَيْهِ بِوَاجِبٍ وَسَأُخْبِرُكُمْ كَيْفَ بَدْءُ الْغُسْلِ كَانَ النَّاسُ مَجْهُودِينَ يَلْبَسُونَ الصُّوفَ وَيَعْمَلُونَ عَلَى ظُهُورِهِمْ وَكَانَ مَسْجِدُهُمْ ضَيِّقًا مُقَارِبَ السَّقْفِ إِنَّمَا هُوَ عَرِيشٌ فَخَرَجَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي يَوْمٍ حَارٍّ وَعَرِقَ النَّاسُ فِي ذَلِكَ الصُّوفِ حَتَّى ثَارَتْ مِنْهُمْ رِيَاحٌ آذَى بِذَلِكَ بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا فَلَمَّا وَجَدَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تِلْكَ الرِّيحَ قَالَ ‏ :‏ أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِذَا كَانَ هَذَا الْيَوْمُ فَاغْتَسِلُوا وَلْيَمَسَّ أَحَدُكُمْ أَفْضَلَ مَا يَجِدُ مِنْ دُهْنِهِ وَطِيبِهِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ ثُمَّ جَاءَ اللَّهُ بِالْخَيْرِ وَلَبِسُوا غَيْرَ الصُّوفِ وَكُفُوا الْعَمَلَ وَوُسِّعَ مَسْجِدُهُمْ وَذَهَبَ بَعْضُ الَّذِي كَانَ يُؤْذِي بَعْضُهُمْ بَعْضًا مِنَ الْعَرَقِ ‏.‏

Ikrimah reported: Some people from Iraq came and said: Ibn Abbas, do you regard taking a bath on Friday as obligatory ? He said: No, it is only a means of cleanliness, and is better for one who washes oneself. Anyone who does not take a bath, it is not essential for him. I inform you how the bath (on Friday) commenced. The people were poor and used to wear woolen clothes, and would carry loads on their backs. Their mosque was small and its roof was lowered down, made of palm-leaves. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) once came out on a hot day and the people perspired profusely in the woolen clothes so much so that foul smell emitted from them and it caused trouble to each other. When the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam found the foul smell, he said: O people, when this day (Friday) comes, you should take bath and every one should anoint the best oil and perfume one has.

Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) then said: Then Allah, the Exalted, provided wealth (to the people) and they wore clothes other than the woolen, and were spared from work, and their mosque became vast. The foul smell that caused trouble to them became non-existent. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 353. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani]

عَنْ سَمُرَةَ بْنِ جُنْدَبٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَبِهَا وَنِعْمَتْ وَمَنِ اغْتَسَلَ فَالْغُسْلُ أَفْضَلُ 

Samurah ibn Jundub (radiallahu anhu) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever performs Wudu (ablution) on Friday, then he will receive the blessing, and whoever performs Ghusl (full bathing) then Ghusl is more virtuous.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 497. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

One needs to try to come early for the prayer.

 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشًا أَقْرَنَ، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً، فَإِذَا خَرَجَ الإِمَامُ حَضَرَتِ الْمَلاَئِكَةُ يَسْتَمِعُونَ الذِّكْرَ 

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of Janaba (ceremonial impurity) and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the Khutbah), the angels present themselves to listen to the Khutbah.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 6]

Walking to the masjid is more rewarding than riding to it.

عَنِ أَوْس بْن أَوْسٍ الثَّقَفِيُّ، سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ :‏ مَنْ غَسَّلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاغْتَسَلَ ثُمَّ بَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ وَمَشَى وَلَمْ يَرْكَبْ وَدَنَا مِنَ الإِمَامِ فَاسْتَمَعَ وَلَمْ يَلْغُ كَانَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ عَمَلُ سَنَةٍ أَجْرُ صِيَامِهَا وَقِيَامِهَا 

Narrated Aws ibn Aws ath-Thaqafi (radiallahu anhu): I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: If anyone makes (his wife) wash and he washes himself on Friday, goes out early (for Friday prayer), attends the sermon from the beginning, walking, not riding, takes his seat near the imam, listens attentively, and does not indulge in idle talk, he will get the reward of a year’s fasting and praying at night for every step he takes. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 345. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

One should be silent during the Khutbah (Friday talk). In fact, one should not even ask others to be silent (i.e. one should not talk even for that reason).

 عَنِ أَبي هُرَيْرَة رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ إِذَا قُلْتَ لِصَاحِبِكَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ أَنْصِتْ‏.‏ وَالإِمَامُ يَخْطُبُ فَقَدْ لَغَوْتَ

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “When the Imam is delivering the Khutbah, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then no doubt you have done an evil act.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 56]

عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أُبَىِّ بْنِ كَعْبٍ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَرَأَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ تَبَارَكَ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ فَذَكَّرَنَا بِأَيَّامِ اللَّهِ وَأَبُو الدَّرْدَاءِ أَوْ أَبُو ذَرٍّ يَغْمِزُنِي فَقَالَ مَتَى أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ السُّورَةُ إِنِّي لَمْ أَسْمَعْهَا إِلاَّ الآنَ ‏.‏ فَأَشَارَ إِلَيْهِ أَنِ اسْكُتْ فَلَمَّا انْصَرَفُوا قَالَ سَأَلْتُكَ مَتَى أُنْزِلَتْ هَذِهِ السُّورَةُ فَلَمْ تُخْبِرْنِي فَقَالَ أُبَىٌّ لَيْسَ لَكَ مِنْ صَلاَتِكَ الْيَوْمَ إِلاَّ مَا لَغَوْتَ ‏.‏ فَذَهَبَ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَذَكَرَ ذَلِكَ لَهُ وَأَخْبَرَهُ بِالَّذِي قَالَ أُبَىٌّ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم : صَدَقَ أُبَىٌّ ‏

Ata bin Yasaar narrated from Ubayy bin Kab (radiallahu anhu): “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) recited Tabarak [Al-Mulk (67)] one Friday, while he was standing and reminding us of the Days of Allah (i.e. preaching to us). Abu Darda or Abu Dharr raised an eyebrow at me and said: ‘When was this Surah revealed? For I have not heard it before now.’ He (Ubayy) gestured to him that he should remain silent. When they finished, he said: ‘I asked you when this Surah was revealed and you did not answer me.” Ubayy said: ‘You have gained nothing from your prayer today except the idle talk that you engaged in.’ He went to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and told him about that, and what Ubayy had said to him. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Ubayy spoke the truth.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1111. Al-Albani stated that it was “sahih (authenic) from the hadeeth of Abu Dharr”.]

Please refer to this article about the obligation of being silent during the Friday khutbah.

For more information, on the etiquettes related to the Friday, please refer to the following book (by one of my earlier teachers):

Etiquettes of a Muslim on Friday – Abdul Majeed Alee Hasan

There are three types of people who attend the Friday prayer. Every person should decide which type he wishes to be.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ يَحْضُرُ الْجُمُعَةَ ثَلاَثَةُ نَفَرٍ رَجُلٌ حَضَرَهَا يَلْغُو وَهُوَ حَظُّهُ مِنْهَا وَرَجُلٌ حَضَرَهَا يَدْعُو فَهُوَ رَجُلٌ دَعَا اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِنْ شَاءَ أَعْطَاهُ وَإِنْ شَاءَ مَنَعَهُ وَرَجُلٌ حَضَرَهَا بِإِنْصَاتٍ وَسُكُوتٍ وَلَمْ يَتَخَطَّ رَقَبَةَ مُسْلِمٍ وَلَمْ يُؤْذِ أَحَدًا فَهِيَ كَفَّارَةٌ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ الَّتِي تَلِيهَا وَزِيَادَةُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ وَذَلِكَ بِأَنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَقُولُ ‏{‏ مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏}‏ ‏

Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn Al-As (radiallahu anhuma): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Three types of people attend Friday prayer; One is present in a frivolous way and that is all he gets from it; another comes with a supplication, Allah may grant or refuse his request as He wishes; another is present silently and quietly without stepping over a Muslim or annoying anyone, and that is an atonement for his sins till the next Friday and three days more, the reason being that Allah, the Exalted, says:

 مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا

Whoever brings a good deed shall have ten times the like thereof to his credit. [Surah Al-Anaam (6) : 160]

[Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 1113. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

2. Sending blessings on the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam)

One should send blessings on the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) on Fridays.

 عَنْ أَوْسِ بْنِ أَوْسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ إِنَّ مِنْ أَفْضَلِ أَيَّامِكُمْ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ النَّفْخَةُ وَفِيهِ الصَّعْقَةُ فَأَكْثِرُوا عَلَىَّ مِنَ الصَّلاَةِ فِيهِ فَإِنَّ صَلاَتَكُمْ مَعْرُوضَةٌ عَلَىَّ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَكَيْفَ تُعْرَضُ صَلاَتُنَا عَلَيْكَ وَقَدْ أَرِمْتَ يَقُولُونَ بَلِيتَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏: إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ حَرَّمَ عَلَى الأَرْضِ أَجْسَادَ الأَنْبِيَاءِ ‏

Narrated Aws ibn Aws (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Messenger of Allah, how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 1047. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Here’s how to send blessings on the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

3. Reciting Surah Al-Kahf

One should also strive to recite Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays.

عن أبي سعيد الخدري : أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال : من قرأ سورة الكهف في يوم الجمعة أضاء له من النور ما بين الجمعتين

It was narrated from Abu Saeed al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 736, the first narration]

عن أبي سعيد الخدري قال :  من قرأ سورة الكهف ليلة الجمعة أضاء له من النور فيما بينه وبين البيت العتيق

From Abu Saeed al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) who said: “Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on the night of Friday, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Kabah).” [Sahih At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 736, the second narration.]

Please note that the night of Friday refers to Thursday night. This is a refutation of those who think that Surah Al-Kahf can only be recited before the Friday prayer, rather it can be recited at any time on Friday.

Please refer to this article for more information.

4. Supplicating at a particular time

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ الْيَوْمُ الْمَوْعُودُ يَوْمُ الْقِيَامَةِ وَالْيَوْمُ الْمَشْهُودُ يَوْمُ عَرَفَةَ وَالشَّاهِدُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ وَمَا طَلَعَتِ الشَّمْسُ وَلاَ غَرَبَتْ عَلَى يَوْمٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهُ فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ يَدْعُو اللَّهَ بِخَيْرٍ إِلاَّ اسْتَجَابَ اللَّهُ لَهُ وَلاَ يَسْتَعِيذُ مِنْ شَرٍّ إِلاَّ أَعَاذَهُ اللَّهُ مِنْهُ ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) narrated that  the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Al-Yawmul-Mawud (the Promised Day) is the Day of Resurrection, and Al-Yawmul-Mashhud (the Attended Day) is the Day of Arafah, and Ash-Shahid (the witness) is Friday.” He said: “The sun does not rise nor set, upon a day that is more virtuous than it. In it, there is an hour in which no believing worshipper makes a supplication to Allah for good, except that Allah answers it for him, and he does not seek Allah’s aid for something, except that He aids him in it.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 3339. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ذَكَرَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ ‏ :‏ فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ، وَهْوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي، يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏‏‏.‏ وَأَشَارَ بِيَدِهِ يُقَلِّلُهَا

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) talked about Friday and said, “There is an hour (opportune time) on Friday and if a Muslim gets it while praying and asks something from Allah, then Allah will definitely meet his demand.” And he (the Prophet) pointed out the shortness of that time with his hands. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 57]

What is that time, you ask? Well, there are many opinions on this matter (which can be found in this article). The one that I follow is that it is between Asr and Maghrib.

عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ ‏ :‏ الْتَمِسُوا السَّاعَةَ الَّتِي تُرْجَى فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ إِلَى غَيْبُوبَةِ الشَّمْسِ  

Anas ibn Malik (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Seek out the hour that is hoped for on Friday after Asr until the sun has set.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 489. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ سَلاَمٍ، قَالَ قُلْتُ وَرَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ جَالِسٌ إِنَّا لَنَجِدُ فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ يُصَلِّي يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا شَيْئًا إِلاَّ قَضَى لَهُ حَاجَتَهُ ‏.‏ قَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ فَأَشَارَ إِلَىَّ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ أَوْ بَعْضُ سَاعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ صَدَقْتَ أَوْ بَعْضُ سَاعَةٍ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ أَىُّ سَاعَةٍ هِيَ قَالَ ‏:‏ هِيَ آخِرُ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ سَاعَاتِ النَّهَارِ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ إِنَّهَا لَيْسَتْ سَاعَةَ صَلاَةٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏:‏ بَلَى إِنَّ الْعَبْدَ الْمُؤْمِنَ إِذَا صَلَّى ثُمَّ جَلَسَ لاَ يَحْبِسُهُ إِلاَّ الصَّلاَةُ فَهُوَ فِي صَلاَةٍ ‏

It was narrated that Abdullah bin Salam (radiallahu anhu) said:“I said, when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was sitting: ‘We find in the Book of Allah that on Friday there is an hour when no believing slave performs prayer and asks Allah for anything at that time, but Allah will fulfill his need.’” ‘Abdullah said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) pointed to me, saying: ‘Or some part of an hour.’ I said: ‘you are right, or some part of an hour.’ I said: ‘What time is that?’ He said: ‘It is the last hours of the day.*’ I said: ‘It is not the time of the prayer?’ He said: ‘Yes (it is so), when a believing slave performs prayer and then sits with nothing but the prayer keeping him, he is still in a state of prayer.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1139. Graded “hasan sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

(*A day starts at sunset (Maghrib) and ends then as well, as can be seen during Ramadan when the first taraweeh prayer takes place the night before the first fast.)

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ الطُّورَ فَوَجَدْتُ ثَمَّ كَعْبًا فَمَكَثْتُ أَنَا وَهُوَ يَوْمًا أُحَدِّثُهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَيُحَدِّثُنِي عَنِ التَّوْرَاةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم :‏ خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ أُهْبِطَ وَفِيهِ تِيبَ عَلَيْهِ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ مَا عَلَى الأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ إِلاَّ وَهِيَ تُصْبِحُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مُصِيخَةً حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ شَفَقًا مِنَ السَّاعَةِ إِلاَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ وَفِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُصَادِفُهَا مُؤْمِنٌ وَهُوَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ فِيهَا شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ كَعْبٌ ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ بَلْ هِيَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقَرَأَ كَعْبٌ التَّوْرَاةَ ثُمَّ قَالَ صَدَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هُوَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَخَرَجْتُ فَلَقِيتُ بَصْرَةَ بْنَ أَبِي بَصْرَةَ الْغِفَارِيَّ فَقَالَ مِنْ أَيْنَ جِئْتَ قُلْتُ مِنَ الطُّورِ ‏.‏ قَالَ لَوْ لَقِيتُكَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ تَأْتِيَهُ لَمْ تَأْتِهِ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ لَهُ وَلِمَ قَالَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏:‏ لاَ تُعْمَلُ الْمَطِيُّ إِلاَّ إِلَى ثَلاَثَةِ مَسَاجِدَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ وَمَسْجِدِي وَمَسْجِدِ بَيْتِ الْمَقْدِسِ ‏‏.‏ فَلَقِيتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ سَلاَمٍ فَقُلْتُ لَوْ رَأَيْتَنِي خَرَجْتُ إِلَى الطُّورِ فَلَقِيتُ كَعْبًا فَمَكَثْتُ أَنَا وَهُوَ يَوْمًا أُحَدِّثُهُ عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَيُحَدِّثُنِي عَنِ التَّوْرَاةِ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ فِيهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ وَفِيهِ أُهْبِطَ وَفِيهِ تِيبَ عَلَيْهِ وَفِيهِ قُبِضَ وَفِيهِ تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ مَا عَلَى الأَرْضِ مِنْ دَابَّةٍ إِلاَّ وَهِيَ تُصْبِحُ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ مُصِيخَةً حَتَّى تَطْلُعَ الشَّمْسُ شَفَقًا مِنَ السَّاعَةِ إِلاَّ ابْنَ آدَمَ وَفِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لاَ يُصَادِفُهَا عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ وَهُوَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ كَعْبٌ ذَلِكَ يَوْمٌ فِي كُلِّ سَنَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ سَلاَمٍ كَذَبَ كَعْبٌ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ ثُمَّ قَرَأَ كَعْبٌ فَقَالَ صَدَقَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم هُوَ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ صَدَقَ كَعْبٌ إِنِّي لأَعْلَمُ تِلْكَ السَّاعَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَا أَخِي حَدِّثْنِي بِهَا ‏.‏ قَالَ هِيَ آخِرُ سَاعَةٍ مِنْ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَغِيبَ الشَّمْسُ فَقُلْتُ أَلَيْسَ قَدْ سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ :‏ لاَ يُصَادِفُهَا مُؤْمِنٌ وَهُوَ فِي الصَّلاَةِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ وَلَيْسَتْ تِلْكَ السَّاعَةَ صَلاَةٌ قَالَ أَلَيْسَ قَدْ سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏: مَنْ صَلَّى وَجَلَسَ يَنْتَظِرُ الصَّلاَةَ لَمْ يَزَلْ فِي صَلاَتِهِ حَتَّى تَأْتِيَهُ الصَّلاَةُ الَّتِي تُلاَقِيهَا ‏‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ بَلَى ‏.‏ قَالَ فَهُوَ كَذَلِكَ

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) said: “I went out to At-Tur and met Kab. He and I spent a day together, when I narrated things to him from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and he narrated things to me from the Tawrah. I said to him: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam was created, on this day he was sent down, on it repentance was accepted, on this day he died, and on this day the Hour will begin. There is no living creature on Earth that does not listen out from Friday morning until the sun rises, fearing the onset of the Hour, except the son of Adam. On (Friday) there is an hour in which, if a believer prays and asks Allah for something, He will give it to him. Kab said: Is than one day in every year? I said: No, it is every Friday.’ Then Kab read in the Tawrah and said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) spoke the truth; it is every Friday. Then I went out and met Basrah bin Abi Basrah Al-Ghifari. He said: From where have you come? I said: From At-Tur. He said: If I had met you before you went there, you would not have gone. I said to him: Why? He said: I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: Do not travel especially to visit a masjid except three: Al Masjid Al Haram (in Makkah), my masjid (in Al-Madinah) and the Masjid of Bait Al-Maqdis (in Jerusalem). Then I met Abdullah bin Salam and said: ‘If you had only seen me, I went to At-Tur and met Kab, and he and I spent the day together, when I narrated things to him from the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and he narrated things to me from the Tawrah. I said to him: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam was created, on this day he was sent down, on it repentance was accepted, on this day he died, and on this day the Hour will begin. There is no living creature on Earth that does not listen out from Friday morning until the sun rises, fearing the onset of the Hour, except the son of Adam. On (Friday) there is an hour in which, if a believer prays and asks Allah for something, He will give it to him. Kab said: That is one day in every year. Abdullah bin Salam said: Kab is not telling the truth. I said: Then Kab read (in the Tawrah) and said: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) spoke the truth; it is every Friday. Abdullah said: Kab spoke the truth; I know when that time is. I said: O my brother, tell me about it. He said: It is the last hour of Friday, before the sun sets. I said: Did you hear the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: If a believer prays, but that is not a time for prayer. He said: Did you not hear the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: Whoever prays and sits waiting for the (next) prayer, is in a state of prayer until the next prayer comes? I said: Of course. He said: That is what it is.” [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 1431. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّهُ قَالَ : يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ ثِنْتَا عَشْرَةَ ‏‏ ‏.‏ يُرِيدُ سَاعَةً ‏”‏ لاَ يُوجَدُ مُسْلِمٌ يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ آتَاهُ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ فَالْتَمِسُوهَا آخِرَ سَاعَةٍ بَعْدَ الْعَصْرِ ‏”‏ ‏.‏

Narrated Jabir ibn Abdullah (radiallahu anhuma): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Friday is divided into twelve hours. Amongst them there is an hour in which a Muslim does not ask Allah for anything but He gives it to him. So seek it in the last hour after Asr. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 1048. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

If a day is 24 hours and Friday is divided into 12 hours, then that implies that the last 2 hours are when supplications are answered – and that’s the amount of time that is generally between Asr and Maghrib. And Allah knows Best.

Unfortunately, this is the time where everyone is out shopping (Friday is a public holiday here in the UAE). I would think that such a thing (i.e. acceptance of supplications) would be something that is too precious to miss.

[2020 Update: Friday WAS a public holiday for the first 50 years of the UAE’s existence but no more. Sad really. May Allah cause it to be a public holiday once again.]

So, those are the acts which are meant to be done on Fridays. One should be careful not to innovate with regards to this issue (or any other issue for that matter).

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، – رضى الله عنه – عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ لاَ تَخْتَصُّوا لَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ بِقِيَامٍ مِنْ بَيْنِ اللَّيَالِي وَلاَ تَخُصُّوا يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ بِصِيَامٍ مِنْ بَيْنِ الأَيَّامِ إِلاَّ أَنْ يَكُونَ فِي صَوْمٍ يَصُومُهُ أَحَدُكُمْ 

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: Do not single out the night (preceding) Friday among the nights for prayer and do not single out Friday among days for fasting but only when anyone among you is accustomed to fast (on dates) which coincide with this day (Friday). [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2546]


SATURDAY

Saturday is venerated by the Jews which is why we are not supposed to single it out for fasting.

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُسْرٍ، عَنْ أُخْتِهِ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ لاَ تَصُومُوا يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ إِلاَّ فِيمَا افْتَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكُمْ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلاَّ لِحَاءَ عِنَبَةٍ أَوْ عُودَ شَجَرَةٍ فَلْيَمْضُغْهُ ‏‏‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ ‏.‏ وَمَعْنَى كَرَاهَتِهِ فِي هَذَا أَنْ يَخُصَّ الرَّجُلُ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ بِصِيَامٍ لأَنَّ الْيَهُودَ تُعَظِّمُ يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ ‏.‏

Abdullah bin Busr (radiallahu anhu) narrated from his sister that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Do not fast on Saturday except for what has been made obligatory upon you (by Allah). If one of you does not find but a grape peal or a tree’s twig, then let him chew it.”

Abu Eesa* said: This hadeeth is hasan. The dislike here applies to when a man distinguishes Saturday by fasting it, because the Jews venerate Saturday.

[Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 744. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

(*Abu Eesa is Imam At-Tirmidhi himself.)

However, Imam Abu Dawood (rahimahullah) pointed out that the hadeeth was abrogated.

 عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ بُسْرٍ السُّلَمِيِّ، عَنْ أُخْتِهِ، – وَقَالَ يَزِيدُ الصَّمَّاءِ – أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ لاَ تَصُومُوا يَوْمَ السَّبْتِ إِلاَّ فِيمَا افْتُرِضَ عَلَيْكُمْ وَإِنْ لَمْ يَجِدْ أَحَدُكُمْ إِلاَّ لِحَاءَ عِنَبَةٍ أَوْ عُودَ شَجَرَةٍ فَلْيَمْضُغْهُ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ مَنْسُوخٌ ‏.‏

Abdullah ibn Busr As-Sulami (radiallahu anhu) reported from his sister – Yazid (of the narrators) said (Her name is) As-Sammaa – that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: Do not fast on Saturday except what has been made obligatory on you; and if one of you can get nothing but a grape skin or a piece of wood from a tree, he should chew it.

Abu Dawood said: This hadeeth has been abrogated.

[Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 2421. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

So, can we fast on Saturday if Arafah falls on it, for instance?

Well, here are a number of scholars’ opinions on fasting on Saturday:

(This is the transcript of this conversation.)

Ruling on Fasting on Saturdays – IslamQA

Fasting on Saturdays – Shaikh Ibn Uthaimeen (rahimahullah)

Ruling on Fasting on Saturdays – Various Scholars


MONDAY

Monday has a few virtues as well.

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، رضى الله عنه أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم سُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِهِ قَالَ فَغَضِبَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ عُمَرُ رضى الله عنه رَضِينَا بِاللَّهِ رَبًّا وَبِالإِسْلاَمِ دِينًا وَبِمُحَمَّدٍ رَسُولاً وَبِبَيْعَتِنَا بَيْعَةً ‏.‏ قَالَ فَسُئِلَ عَنْ صِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ لاَ صَامَ وَلاَ أَفْطَرَ ‏‏ ‏.‏ أَوْ ‏: مَا صَامَ وَمَا أَفْطَرَ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمَيْنِ وَإِفْطَارِ يَوْمٍ قَالَ ‏: وَمَنْ يُطِيقُ ذَلِكَ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمٍ وَإِفْطَارِ يَوْمَيْنِ قَالَ ‏:‏ لَيْتَ أَنَّ اللَّهَ قَوَّانَا لِذَلِكَ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمٍ وَإِفْطَارِ يَوْمٍ قَالَ ‏:‏ ذَاكَ صَوْمُ أَخِي دَاوُدَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلاَمُ ‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ الاِثْنَيْنِ قَالَ ‏:‏ ذَاكَ يَوْمٌ وُلِدْتُ فِيهِ وَيَوْمٌ بُعِثْتُ أَوْ أُنْزِلَ عَلَىَّ فِيهِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَقَالَ ‏: صَوْمُ ثَلاَثَةٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ وَرَمَضَانَ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ وَالْبَاقِيَةَ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ الْمَاضِيَةَ ‏‏ ‏.‏ وَفِي هَذَا الْحَدِيثِ مِنْ رِوَايَةِ شُعْبَةَ قَالَ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صَوْمِ يَوْمِ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ فَسَكَتْنَا عَنْ ذِكْرِ الْخَمِيسِ لَمَّا نَرَاهُ وَهْمًا ‏.‏

Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (radiallahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was asked about his fasting. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) felt annoyed. Thereupon Umar (radiallahu anhu) said:We are pleased with Allah as the Lord, with Islam as our Code of Life, with Muhammad as the Messenger and with our pledge (to you for willing and cheerful submission) as a (sacred) commitment. He was then asked about perpetual fasting, whereupon he said: He neither fasted nor did he break it, or he did not fast and he did not break it. He was then asked about fasting for two days and breaking one day. He (the Prophet) said: And who has strength enough to do it? He was asked about fasting for a day and breaking for two days, whereupon he said: May Allah bestow upon us strength to do it. He was then asked about fasting for a day and breaking on the other, whereupon he said: That is the fasting of my brother David (peace be upon him). He was then asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It was the day on which I was born. on which I was commissioned with prophethood or revelation was sent to me, (and he further) said: Three days fasting every month and of the whole of Ramadan every year is a perpetual fast. He was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (9th of Dhul Hijjah), whereupon he said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year and the coming year. He was asked about fasting on the day of Ashurah (10th of Muharram), whereupon be said: It expiates the sins of the preceding year. (Imam Muslim said that in this hadith there is a) narration of Imam Shuba that he was asked about fasting on Monday and Thursday, but we (Imam Muslim) did not mention Thursday for we found it as an error (in reporting). [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2603]

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَحَرَّى صَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ ‏

Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrated: “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to try to fast on Mondays and Thursdays.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 745. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ تُعْرَضُ أَعْمَالُ النَّاسِ فِي كُلِّ جُمُعَةٍ مَرَّتَيْنِ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ فَيُغْفَرُ لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاَّ عَبْدًا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ أَخِيهِ شَحْنَاءُ فَيُقَالُ اتْرُكُوا – أَوِ ارْكُوا – هَذَيْنِ حَتَّى يَفِيئَا ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: The deeds of people would be presented twice every week, Monday and Thursday, and every believing servant would be granted pardon except the one in whose (heart) there is rancour against his brother and it would he said: Leave them and put them off until they are turned to reconciliation. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 6224]

عَنْ أُسَامَة بْن زَيْد، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ تَصُومُ حَتَّى لاَ تَكَادَ تُفْطِرُ وَتُفْطِرُ حَتَّى لاَ تَكَادَ أَنْ تَصُومَ إِلاَّ يَوْمَيْنِ إِنْ دَخَلاَ فِي صِيَامِكَ وَإِلاَّ صُمْتَهُمَا ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏:‏ أَىُّ يَوْمَيْنِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ قُلْتُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏:ذَانِكَ يَوْمَانِ تُعْرَضُ فِيهِمَا الأَعْمَالُ عَلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُعْرَضَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ

Usamah bin Zaid (radiallahu anhuma) said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, sometimes you fast, and you hardly ever break your hardly ever fast, except two days which, if you are fasting, you include them in your fast, and if you are not fasting, then you fast them on your own.’ He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Which two days?’ I said: ‘Monday and Thursday.’ He said: ‘Those are two days in which deeds are shown to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be shown (to Him) when I am fasting.”[Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 2360. Graded “hasan sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ كَانَ يَصُومُ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسَ ‏.‏ فَقِيلَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّكَ تَصُومُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ فَقَالَ ‏ : إِنَّ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ فِيهِمَا لِكُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ إِلاَّ مُهْتَجِرَيْنِ يَقُولُ دَعْهُمَا حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا ‏

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It was said: “O Messenger of Allah, why do you fast on Mondays and Thursdays?” He said: “On Mondays and Thursdays Allah forgives every Muslim except two who have forsaken one another. He says: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1740. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

 عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ :‏ تُفْتَحُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ كُلَّ يَوْمِ اثْنَيْنِ وَخَمِيسٍ فَيُغْفَرُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَيْنِ لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ لاَ يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا إِلاَّ مَنْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ أَخِيهِ شَحْنَاءُ فَيُقَالُ أَنْظِرُوا هَذَيْنِ حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا ‏‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم هَجَرَ بَعْضَ نِسَائِهِ أَرْبَعِينَ يَوْمًا وَابْنُ عُمَرَ هَجَرَ ابْنًا لَهُ إِلَى أَنْ مَاتَ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ إِذَا كَانَتِ الْهِجْرَةُ لِلَّهِ فَلَيْسَ مِنْ هَذَا بِشَىْءٍ وَإِنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ غَطَّى وَجْهَهُ عَنْ رَجُلٍ ‏.‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and forgiveness is granted to every man who does not associate anything with Allah, except for a man between whom and his brother there is resentment. It is said: ‘Leave these two until they reconcile’.

Abu Dawud said: The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) kept apart from some of his wives for forty days, and Ibn Umar kept apart from his son till he died.

Abu Dawud said: If keeping apart is meant for the sake of Allah, then it has no concern with it. Umar ibn Abdul Aziz covered his face from a man. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 4916. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ مَوْلَى أُسَامَةَ بْنِ زَيْدٍ أَنَّهُ انْطَلَقَ مَعَ أُسَامَةَ إِلَى وَادِي الْقُرَى فِي طَلَبِ مَالٍ لَهُ فَكَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ فَقَالَ لَهُ مَوْلاَهُ لِمَ تَصُومُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ وَأَنْتَ شَيْخٌ كَبِيرٌ فَقَالَ إِنَّ نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ وَسُئِلَ عَنْ ذَلِكَ فَقَالَ ‏ :‏ إِنَّ أَعْمَالَ الْعِبَادِ تُعْرَضُ يَوْمَ الاِثْنَيْنِ وَيَوْمَ الْخَمِيسِ ‏

Narrated the freed slave of Usamah ibn Zayd that he went along with Usamah (radiallahu anhu) to Wadi al-Qura in pursuit of his camels. He would fast on Monday and Thursday. His client said to him: Why do you fast on Monday and Thursday, while you are an old man? He said: The Prophet of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to fast on Monday and Thursday. When he was asked about it, he said: The works of the servants (of Allah) are presented (to Allah) on Monday and Thursday. [Sunan Abee Dawood, Hadeeth No. 2436. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Abani.]


THURSDAY

The deeds for Thursday are the same as the ones on Monday i.e. fasting.

Note: There are two ahadeeth about Wednesday. One involves an act which is to be done and one involves an act which is to be left. Some scholars authenticated these ahadeeth but I decided not to include them because neither seemed to be confirmed.

 

MONTHS

 

Before we get into the months, I should point out that a deed that one can do just about every month – fasting 3 days of that (Islamic) month:

عَنْ أَبَي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏ :‏ شَهْرُ الصَّبْرِ وَثَلاَثَةُ أَيَّامٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ صَوْمُ الدَّهْرِ ‏

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) say: “The month of patience* and the three days of each month is fasting for a lifetime.” [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 2410. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

(*The month of patience is Ramadan.)

عَنْ حَبِيبٍ، سَمِعَ أَبَا الْعَبَّاسِ، سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو، – رضى الله عنهما – قَالَ قَالَ لِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏: يَا عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ عَمْرٍو إِنَّكَ لَتَصُومُ الدَّهْرَ وَتَقُومُ اللَّيْلَ وَإِنَّكَ إِذَا فَعَلْتَ ذَلِكَ هَجَمَتْ لَهُ الْعَيْنُ وَنَهِكَتْ لاَ صَامَ مَنْ صَامَ الأَبَدَ صَوْمُ ثَلاَثَةِ أَيَّامٍ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ صَوْمُ الشَّهْرِ كُلِّهِ ‏. قُلْتُ فَإِنِّي أُطِيقُ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ ذَلِكَ.  قَالَ ‏:‏ فَصُمْ صَوْمَ دَاوُدَ كَانَ يَصُومُ يَوْمًا وَيُفْطِرُ يَوْمًا وَلاَ يَفِرُّ إِذَا لاَقَى ‏

Abdullah ibn Amr (radiallahu anhuma) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to me: O Abdullah ibn Amr, you fast continuously and stand in prayer for the whole of night. If you do like that, your eyes would be highly strained and would sink and lose sight. There is no (reward for) fasting (for him) who fasts perpetually. Fasting for three days during the month is like fasting the whole of the month. I said: I am capable of doing more than this, whereupon he said: Observe the fast of Dawood. He used to fast one day and break (the other) day. And he did not turn back in the encounter. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2592]

عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم صوم شهر الصبر وثلاثة أيام من كل شهر يذهبن وحر الصدر

Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) said: The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Fasting the month of patience (i.e. Ramadan) and three days of each month removes the impurities of the heart.” [Sahih At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, Hadeeth No. 1032]

عَنْ أَبِي ذَرٍّ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ مَنْ صَامَ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَذَلِكَ صِيَامُ الدَّهْرِ ‏‏ ‏.‏ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ تَصْدِيقَ ذَلِكَ فِي كِتَابِهِ ‏:‏ ‏(‏مَنْ جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا ‏)‏ ‏.‏ الْيَوْمُ بِعَشَرَةِ أَيَّامٍ ‏.‏ 

Abu Dharr (radiallahu anhu) narrated:”The Messenger of Allah  (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘Whoever fasts three days in every month, then that is (similar to) fasting every day.’ Then Allah Mighty and Sublime is He, attested to that in His Book, by revealing:

مَن جَاءَ بِالْحَسَنَةِ فَلَهُ عَشْرُ أَمْثَالِهَا

Whoever brings a good deed, shall have ten times the like thereof. [Surah Al-Anaam (6) : 160]

So a day is like ten.” 

[Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 762. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Please note that any three days of the month will do.

عَنْ مُعَاذَةُ الْعَدَوِيَّةُ سَأَلَتْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَكَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ قَالَتْ نَعَمْ ‏.‏ فَقُلْتُ لَهَا مِنْ أَىِّ أَيَّامِ الشَّهْرِ كَانَ يَصُومُ قَالَتْ لَمْ يَكُنْ يُبَالِي مِنْ أَىِّ أَيَّامِ الشَّهْرِ يَصُومُ ‏.

Muadha Al-Adawiyyah reported that she asked Aishah (radiallahu anha), the wife of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam), whether the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) observed fasts for three days during every month. She said: “Yes.” I said to her: “Which were (the particular) days of the month on which he observed fast?” She said: “He was not particular about the days of the month on which to observe fast.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2600]

However, Ayaam Al-Beed (the white days) i.e. the 13th, 14th and 15th are recommended.

عَنْ أَبَي ذَرٍّ، يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ يَا أَبَا ذَرٍّ إِذَا صُمْتَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ فَصُمْ ثَلاَثَ عَشْرَةَ وَأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ وَخَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ ‏

Abu Dharr (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “O Abu Dharr! When you fast three days out of a month, then fast the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 761. Graded “hasan sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Please note that fasting on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Ramadan is obligatory, whereas fasting on the 13th of Dhul Hijjah is prohibited (except for one case).

Now, let’s get into the months which have virtues. Before we discuss those, here’s a listing of all the months in an Islamic year.

MUHARRAM

The 1st month of the year, Muharram, is also one of the four sacred months.

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّـهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّـهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَاتِلُوا الْمُشْرِكِينَ كَافَّةً كَمَا يُقَاتِلُونَكُمْ كَافَّةً ۚ وَاعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّـهَ مَعَ الْمُتَّقِينَ

Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred, (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the Mushrikoon (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) collectively, as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are Al-Muttaqoon (the pious). [Surah At-Tawbah (9) : 36]

عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : إِنَّ الزَّمَانَ قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ، السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا مِنْهَا، أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثَلاَثٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ، ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ ‏

Narrated Abu Bakrah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession; Dhul-Qaadah, Dhul-Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumad (ath-thani) and Shaban.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Hadeeth No. 184]

The meaning of sacred months has already been discussed in an earlier post.

Muharram is a great month to fast in.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، – رضى الله عنه – قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ ‏

Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: The most excellent fast after Ramadan is Allah’s month Muharram, and the most excellent prayer after the obligatory is prayer during the night. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2611]

The 10th day of Muharram (Ashura) has a lot of history behind it.

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ ـ رضى الله عنهما أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَمَّا قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ وَجَدَهُمْ يَصُومُونَ يَوْمًا، يَعْنِي عَاشُورَاءَ، فَقَالُوا هَذَا يَوْمٌ عَظِيمٌ، وَهْوَ يَوْمٌ نَجَّى اللَّهُ فِيهِ مُوسَى، وَأَغْرَقَ آلَ فِرْعَوْنَ، فَصَامَ مُوسَى شُكْرًا لِلَّهِ‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏ :‏ أَنَا أَوْلَى بِمُوسَى مِنْهُمْ ‏‏‏.‏ فَصَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ‏.‏

Narrated Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma): When the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) came to Madinah, he found (the Jews) fasting on the day of Ashura (i.e. 10th of Muharram). They used to say: “This is a great day on which Allah saved Musa and drowned the folk of Pharaoh. Musa observed the fast on this day, as a sign of gratitude to Allah.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “I am closer to Musa than they.” So, he observed the fast (on that day) and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 609]

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ يَوْمُ عَاشُورَاءَ تَصُومُهُ قُرَيْشٌ فِي الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُهُ، فَلَمَّا قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ صَامَهُ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ، فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ رَمَضَانُ كَانَ رَمَضَانُ الْفَرِيضَةَ، وَتُرِكَ عَاشُورَاءُ، فَكَانَ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَهُ، وَمَنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَصُمْهُ‏.‏

Narrated Aishah (radiallahu anha): During the Pre-lslamic Period of ignorance the Quraish used to observe fasting on the day of Ashura, and the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) himself used to observe fasting on it too. But when he came to Madinah, he fasted on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast on it. When (the order of compulsory fasting in ) Ramadan was revealed, fasting in Ramadan became an obligation, and fasting on Ashura was given up, and who ever wished to fast (on it) did so, and whoever did not wish to fast on it, did not fast. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Hadeeth No. 31]

It was obligatory to fast it early on but now it’s only recommended.

عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ كَانَ عَاشُورَاءُ يَصُومُهُ أَهْلُ الْجَاهِلِيَّةِ، فَلَمَّا نَزَلَ رَمَضَانُ قَالَ ‏ :‏ مَنْ شَاءَ صَامَهُ، وَمَنْ شَاءَ لَمْ يَصُمْهُ ‏

Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): Fasting was observed on the day of Ashura (i.e. 10th of Muharram) by the people of the Pre-lslamic Period. But when (the order of compulsory fasting) in the month of Ramadan was revealed, he (the Prophet) said, “It is up to one to fast on it (i.e. day of Ashura) or not.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 6, Hadeeth No. 28]

Fasting on this day still has virtues though.

عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي يَزِيدَ، سَمِعَ ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ، – رضى الله عنهما – وَسُئِلَ عَنْ صِيَامِ، يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ مَا عَلِمْتُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَامَ يَوْمًا يَطْلُبُ فَضْلَهُ عَلَى الأَيَّامِ إِلاَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ وَلاَ شَهْرًا إِلاَّ هَذَا الشَّهْرَ يَعْنِي رَمَضَانَ ‏

Ubaidullah ibn Abee Yazeed narrated that he heard Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) being asked about observing of fast on the day of Ashura, whereupon he said: I do not know Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) singling out any day’s fast and considering it more excellent than another, except this day (the day of Ashura) and this month, meaning the month of Ramadan. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2524]

عَنْ أَبِي قَتَادَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ :‏ صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ إِنِّي أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ 

It was narrated from Abu Qatadah (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Fasting the day of Ashura, I hope, will expiate for the sins of the previous year.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1738. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani]

It’s better to fast the 9th of Muharram as well, so as to be different from the Jews.

عَن غَطَفَان بْن طَرِيفٍ الْمُرِّيَّ يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ، بْنَ عَبَّاسٍ – رضى الله عنهما – يَقُولُ حِينَ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ يَوْمٌ تُعَظِّمُهُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ فَإِذَا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ – إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ – صُمْنَا الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَأْتِ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم.

Ghatfan ibn Tareef Al-Murri narrated that he heard Ibn Abbas (radiallahu anhuma) saying that when the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) fasted on the day of Ashura and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him: Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: When the next year comes, Allah willing, we would observe fast on the 9th. But the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) died before the advent of the next year. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2528]

Here’s a short article on the virtues of Muharram.

SAFAR

The month of Safar does not have any specific virtues. However, there were a lot of misconceptions about this month amongst the pagan Arabs.

For example, they use to consider this month “unlucky” –  a notion which was refuted by the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

عَن أَبي هُرَيْرَة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ إِنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ لاَ عَدْوَى وَلاَ صَفَرَ وَلاَ هَامَةَ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ فَمَا بَالُ إِبِلِي تَكُونُ فِي الرَّمْلِ كَأَنَّهَا الظِّبَاءُ فَيَأْتِي الْبَعِيرُ الأَجْرَبُ فَيَدْخُلُ بَيْنَهَا فَيُجْرِبُهَا‏.‏ فَقَالَ ‏:‏ فَمَنْ أَعْدَى الأَوَّلَ ‏ رَوَاهُ

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, ‘There is no Adha (no disease is conveyed from the sick to the healthy without Allah’s permission), nor Safar, nor Hama.” A bedouin stood up and said, “Then what about my camels? They are like deer on the sand, but when a mangy camel comes and mixes with them, they all get infected with mangy.” The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Then who conveyed the (mange) disease to the first one?” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Hadeeth No. 615]

The pagans also used to play around with the holy months, sometimes making Safar one of them.

إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّـهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ أَعْمَالِهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّـهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief: thereby the disbelievers are led astray, for they make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful. The evil of their deeds seems pleasing to them. And Allah guides not the people, who disbelieve. [Surah At-Taubah (9) : 37]

Ibn Kathir stated in his explanation of the above verse:

“Allah admonishes the idolators for choosing their wicked opinions over Allah’s Law. They changed Allah’s legislation based upon their vain desires, allowing what Allah prohibited and prohibiting what Allah allowed. They thought that three consecutive sacred months were rather long for them to remain without fighting, for they were full of anger and rage. This is why before Islam they innovated a change in the Sacred Month of Muharram, delaying it to the month of Safar! Therefore, they allowed fighting in the Sacred Month and made the non-sacred month sacred, to make the Sacred Months in a year four, as Allah decided! Ali bin Abi Talhah said that Ibn Abbas commented on Allah’s statement,

﴿إِنَّمَا النَّسِىءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِى الْكُفْرِ﴾

(The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief), “Junadah bin Awf bin Umayyah Al-Kinani, known as Abu Thumamah, used to attend the Hajj season every year and declare, Abu Thumamah is never rejected nor refuted!,’ and he used to treat Safar as sacred for people one year (and un-sanctify Muharram) and treat Muharram as sacred another year (and un-sanctify Safar in that year). This is why Allah said,

﴿إِنَّمَا النَّسِىءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِى الْكُفْرِ﴾

(The postponing (of a Sacred Month) is indeed an addition to disbelief. ) Allah says, `They allow Muharram one year and make it sacred another year.”’ Al-Awfi narrated a similar statement from Ibn Abbas. Layth bin Abi Sulaym narrated that Mujahid said, “There was a man from Bani Kinanah who would attend the Hajj season every year riding his donkey. He would proclaim, `O people! I am never rejected, denied or refuted in what I say. We made this coming Muharram sacred, and Safar not!’ The following year he would come again and declare the same words then say, `We made this coming Safar sacred and delayed Muharram (revoked its sanctity).’ This is the meaning of Allah’s statement,

﴿لِّيُوَاطِئُواْ عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ﴾

(in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah), to four months. Allah says, `They allow what Allah disallowed by delaying the Sacred Month.”’ The idolators used to allow Muharram one year and sanctify Safar in its place. They would continue the months of the year according to their normal count and names. The next year they would sanctify Muharram and continue the year, Safar, Rabi, until the end of the year.

﴿يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُواْ عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّواْ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ﴾

(They make it lawful one year and forbid it another year in order to adjust the number of months forbidden by Allah, and make such forbidden ones lawful.) Therefore, they would still sanctify four months every year, but would one year sanctify the third from the three consecutive Sacred Months, Muharram, and postpone and delay it another year to Safar. In his book of Sirah, Imam Muhammad bin Ishaq presented a very useful beneficial discussion on this matter. He said; “The first to start the practice of overlooking the sanctity of months for the Arabs, thus allowing what Allah sanctified of them and sanctifying what Allah allowed of them, was “Al-Qalammas”. He was Hudhayfah bin Abd Fuqaym bin Adi bin Amr bin Thalabah bin Al-Harith bin Malik bin Kinanah bin Khuzaymah bin Mudrikah bin Ilyas bin Mudar bin Nizar bin Madd bin Adnan. His son Abbad maintained this practice, then after him his son Qala bin Abbad did the same, Then his son Umayyah bin Qala, then his son Awf bin Umayyah, then his son Abu Thumamah Junadah bin Awf. He was the last one of his sons (to continue this practice) before Islam. The Arabs used to gather around him when Hajj finished, and he would stand and give them a speech in which he sanctifies Rajab, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah. He would defer the sanctity of Muharram to Safar one year and uphold its sanctity another year, so as to appear upholding the number (of Sacred Months) Allah made sacred. Therefore, he would allow what Allah prohibited and prohibit what Allah allowed.” Allah knows best.”

Here’s a look at the month of Safar.

RAJAB

Rajab is one of the four sacred months so the rulings that apply to Muharram apply to it as well.

Here’s a look at the month of Rajab.

The following is a very thoughtful quote regarding Rajab’s role as a preparation for Ramadan:

Abu Bakr al-Balkhi said:

“The month of Rajab is the month for planting, the month of Shaban is the month of irrigating the crops, and the month of Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crops.” 

He also said:

“The likeness of the month of Rajab is that of the wind, the likeness of Shaban is that of the clouds and the likeness of Ramadan is that of the rain; whoever does not plant and sow in Rajab, and does not irrigate in Shabaan, how can he reap in Ramadan? Now Rajab has passed, so what will you do in Shabaan if you are seeking Ramadan? This is how your Prophet and the early generations of the ummah were in this blessed month, so what will you do?” 

SHABAN

Shaban is a month of fasting – because it precedes Ramadan.

عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ سَأَلْتُ عَائِشَةَ – رضى الله عنها – عَنْ صِيَامِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَتْ كَانَ يَصُومُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ قَدْ صَامَ ‏.‏ وَيُفْطِرُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ قَدْ أَفْطَرَ ‏.‏ وَلَمْ أَرَهُ صَائِمًا مِنْ شَهْرٍ قَطُّ أَكْثَرَ مِنْ صِيَامِهِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً

Abu Salamah reported: I asked Aishah (radiallahu anha) about the fasting of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam). She said: He used to observe fast (at times so continuously) that we said: He has fasted (never to break), and he did not observe fast till we said: He has given up perhaps never to fast, and I never saw him observing (voluntary fasts) more in any other month than that of Shaban. (lt appeared as if) he observed fast throughout the whole of Shaban except a few (days). [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2581]

عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، أَنَّ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ حَدَّثَتْهُ قَالَتْ، لَمْ يَكُنِ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ شَهْرًا أَكْثَرَ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ، وَكَانَ يَقُولُ ‏ : خُذُوا مِنَ الْعَمَلِ مَا تُطِيقُونَ، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لاَ يَمَلُّ حَتَّى تَمَلُّوا. وَأَحَبُّ الصَّلاَةِ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا دُووِمَ عَلَيْهِ، وَإِنْ قَلَّتْ ‏. وَكَانَ إِذَا صَلَّى صَلاَةً دَاوَمَ عَلَيْهَا‏.‏

Abu Salamah said that Aishah (radiallahu anha) narrated to him that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) never fasted in any month more than in the month of Shaban. He used to say, “Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds).” The most beloved prayer to the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little. And whenever the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) offered a prayer he used to offer it regularly. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 191]

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ أُمِّ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ، – رضى الله عنها – أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لاَ يُفْطِرُ ‏.‏ وَيُفْطِرُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لاَ يَصُومُ ‏.‏ وَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ قَطُّ إِلاَّ رَمَضَانَ وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ فِي شَهْرٍ أَكْثَرَ مِنْهُ صِيَامًا فِي شَعْبَانَ ‏

Aishah, the Mother of the Believers (radiallahu anha), reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to fast (so continuously) that we said that he would not break, and did not fast at all till we said that he would not fast. And I did not see the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) completing the fast of a month, but that of Ramadan, and I did not see him fasting more in any other month than that of Shaban. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2580]

عَنْ أُسَامَة بْن زَيْد قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ أَرَكَ تَصُومُ شَهْرًا مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏ :‏ ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ

Usamah bin Zaid (radiallahu anhuma) said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as Shaban.’ He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.”‘ [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 2359. Graded “hasan” (good) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ عَائِشَة تَقُولُ كَانَ أَحَبَّ الشُّهُورِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَصُومَهُ شَعْبَانُ بَلْ كَانَ يَصِلُهُ بِرَمَضَانَ

Aishah (radiallahu anha) said: “The month which the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) most liked to fast was Shaban; indeed he used to join it to Ramadan.” [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 2352. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ تَقُولُ كَانَ يَكُونُ عَلَىَّ الصَّوْمُ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ، فَمَا أَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ أَقْضِيَ إِلاَّ فِي شَعْبَانَ‏.‏ قَالَ يَحْيَى الشُّغْلُ مِنَ النَّبِيِّ أَوْ بِالنَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏

Narrated Aishah (radiallahu anha): Sometimes I missed some days of Ramadan, but could not fast in lieu of them except in the month of Shaban.” Said Yahya, a sub-narrator, “She used to be busy serving the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) .” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 171]

Now, there is a hadeeth which states that one should not fast beyond the middle of this month.

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ ‏ :‏ إِذَا كَانَ النِّصْفُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَلاَ صَوْمَ حَتَّى يَجِيءَ رَمَضَانُ ‏

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘When it is the middle of Shaban, do not fast until Ramadan comes.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1651. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

Here’s a detailed explanation of this hadeeth.

Please note that fasting one or two days before Ramadan, to be “sure” to catch all the days, is prohibited. However, one may make up missed fasts on those days.

What about the famous 15th of Shaban? Well, just about everything that has come regarding it is weak, and the night is full of innovations.

There seems to be only one hadeeth about it that might be authentic but even that narration has issues. Please refer to this article for more information.

RAMADAN

Ah, Ramadan. The greatest month. I had an entire blog dedicated to this month. And yes, it’s still up.

I’ve covered everything about Ramadan on this blog as well in the following articles:

How to enjoy Ramadan – Part 1 and Part 2

The Ten Best Nights Vs. The Ten Best Days

Ramadan – Past, Present and Future

The Real Story Behind Laylatul Qadr

Enjoying the Quran – Part 1 and Part 2

SHAWWAL

Poor Shawwal gets forgotten easily because it comes right after Ramadan. This is what happens.

Eid Al-Fitr is the first day of Shawwal and has certain rulings attached to it. I’ve mentioned several resources on Eid in the following two posts:

Resources for Eid

Some more resources for Eid

Shawwal is also one of the three months along with Dhul Qadah and the beginning of Dhul Hijjah, wherein those who are performing Hajj At-Tamattu or Hajj Qiran can do Umrah. I’ve discussed this in more detail in my Best of Journeys series.

Shawwal is most famous for its six fasts.

عَنْ أَبِي أَيُّوبَ الأَنْصَارِيِّ، – رضى الله عنه – أَنَّهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ 

Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (radiallahu anhu) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: “He who observed the fast of Ramadan and then followed it with six (fasts) of Shawwal, it would be as if he fasted for a lifetime.” [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2614]

Shawwal is also a good month to get married in – contrary to what many believe.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ تَزَوَّجَنِي رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي شَوَّالٍ وَبَنَى بِي فِي شَوَّالٍ فَأَىُّ نِسَاءِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ أَحْظَى عِنْدَهُ مِنِّي ‏.‏ قَالَ وَكَانَتْ عَائِشَةُ تَسْتَحِبُّ أَنْ تُدْخِلَ نِسَاءَهَا فِي شَوَّالٍ ‏

Aishah (radiallahu anha) reported: Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) contracted marriage with me in Shawwal and took me to his house as a bride during Shawwal. And who among the wives of Allah’s Messenger (allallahu alaihi wasallam) was dearer to him than I.

He (one of the narrators) said: And Aishah liked that the women (of her family) should enter the houses as brides during the month of Shawwal. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 3312]

DHUL QADAH

Dhul Qadah is one of the four sacred months, and it is also one of the months in which Umrah is done for the two types of Hajj mentioned earlier.

 

DHUL HIJJAH

Dhul Hijjah is the last of the sacred months. It’s also the month of Hajj.

My Best of Journey series should be sufficient to know more about that as should my earlier Hajj blog.

This month also contains the ten best days which you can read more about in this article I wrote.

From those ten days, is the Day of Arafah. Here’s a short article I wrote on enjoying this day.

And of course, Eid Al-Adha falls on this month. The Eid resources mentioned earlier also cover this day.

 

SEASONS

The seasons are another way of looking at things. And they’ve been mentioned in the ahadeeth as well.

Here’s spring being mentioned:

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏: أَخْوَفُ مَا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ مَا يُخْرِجُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ مِنْ زَهْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا  ‏.‏ قَالُوا وَمَا زَهْرَةُ الدُّنْيَا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ ‏:‏ بَرَكَاتُ الأَرْضِ ‏‏.‏ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ وَهَلْ يَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ قَالَ ‏:‏ لاَ يَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ إِلاَّ بِالْخَيْرِ لاَ يَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ إِلاَّ بِالْخَيْرِ لاَ يَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ إِلاَّ بِالْخَيْرِ إِنَّ كُلَّ مَا أَنْبَتَ الرَّبِيعُ يَقْتُلُ أَوْ يُلِمُّ إِلاَّ آكِلَةَ الْخَضِرِ فَإِنَّهَا تَأْكُلُ حَتَّى إِذَا امْتَدَّتْ خَاصِرَتَاهَا اسْتَقْبَلَتِ الشَّمْسَ ثُمَّ اجْتَرَّتْ وَبَالَتْ وَثَلَطَتْ ثُمَّ عَادَتْ فَأَكَلَتْ إِنَّ هَذَا الْمَالَ خَضِرَةٌ حُلْوَةٌ فَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِحَقِّهِ وَوَضَعَهُ فِي حَقِّهِ فَنِعْمَ الْمَعُونَةُ هُوَ وَمَنْ أَخَذَهُ بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ كَانَ كَالَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ ‏

Abu Said ِِِAl-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) reported that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) had said: The most dreadful thing I fear in your case is what Allah brings forth for you in the form of the adornment of the world. They (the Prophet’s Companions) said: Messenger of Allah, what is the adornment of the world? He said: Blessings (the natural resources) of the earth. They (again) said: Messenger of Allah, does good produce evil? He said: No, only good comes out of good. No, only good comes out of good. No, only good comes out of good. All that which the spring rain helps to grow kills or is about to kill but (the animal) which feeds on vegetation. It eats and when its flanks are distended, it faces the sun, it chews the cud, it has dunged and urinated. It returns and eats. This wealth is green and sweet, and he who accepts it and applies it rightly, finds it a good help, but he who takes it wrongfully is like one who eats without being satisfied. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2289]

عَنْ أَبِي سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيِّ، قَالَ جَلَسَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ وَجَلَسْنَا حَوْلَهُ فَقَالَ ‏: إِنَّ مِمَّا أَخَافُ عَلَيْكُمْ بَعْدِي مَا يُفْتَحُ عَلَيْكُمْ مِنْ زَهْرَةِ الدُّنْيَا وَزِينَتِهَا ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَجُلٌ أَوَيَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ فَسَكَتَ عَنْهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقِيلَ لَهُ مَا شَأْنُكَ تُكَلِّمُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلاَ يُكَلِّمُكَ قَالَ وَرُئِينَا أَنَّهُ يُنْزَلُ عَلَيْهِ فَأَفَاقَ يَمْسَحُ عَنْهُ الرُّحَضَاءَ وَقَالَ ‏: إِنَّ هَذَا السَّائِلَ – وَكَأَنَّهُ حَمِدَهُ فَقَالَ – إِنَّهُ لاَ يَأْتِي الْخَيْرُ بِالشَّرِّ وَإِنَّ مِمَّا يُنْبِتُ الرَّبِيعُ يَقْتُلُ أَوْ يُلِمُّ إِلاَّ آكِلَةَ الْخَضِرِ فَإِنَّهَا أَكَلَتْ حَتَّى إِذَا امْتَلأَتْ خَاصِرَتَاهَا اسْتَقْبَلَتْ عَيْنَ الشَّمْسِ فَثَلَطَتْ وَبَالَتْ ثُمَّ رَتَعَتْ وَإِنَّ هَذَا الْمَالَ خَضِرٌ حُلْوٌ وَنِعْمَ صَاحِبُ الْمُسْلِمِ هُوَ لِمَنْ أَعْطَى مِنْهُ الْمِسْكِينَ وَالْيَتِيمَ وَابْنَ السَّبِيلِ أَوْ كَمَا قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَإِنَّهُ مَنْ يَأْخُذُهُ بِغَيْرِ حَقِّهِ كَانَ كَالَّذِي يَأْكُلُ وَلاَ يَشْبَعُ وَيَكُونُ عَلَيْهِ شَهِيدًا يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ

Abu Said Al-Khudri (radiallahu anhu) reported: The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was sitting on the pulpit and we were sitting around him, and he said: What I am afraid of in regard to you after my death is that there would be opened for you the adornments of the world and its beauties. A person said: Messenger of Allah, does good produce evil? The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) remained silent. And it was said to him (the man who had asked the question from the Prophet): What is the matter with you, that you speak with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) but he does not speak with you? We thought as if revelation was descending upon him. He regained himself and wiped the sweat from him and said: He was the inquirer (and his style of expression showed as if he praised him and then added): Verily good does not produce evil. Whatever the spring rainfall causes to grow kills or is about to kill, but that (animal) which feeds on vegetation. It eats till its flanks are filled; it faces the sun and dungs and urinates. and then returns to eat. And this wealth is a sweet vegetation, and it is a good companion for a Muslim who gives out of it to the needy, to the orphan. to the wayfarer, or something like that as the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: He who takes it without his right is like one who eats but does not feel satisfied, and it would stand witness against him on the Day of Judgment. [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2290]

Here’s both summer and winter getting a mention:

عَن أَبي هُرَيْرَة ـ رضى الله عنه ـ يَقُولُ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ :‏ اشْتَكَتِ النَّارُ إِلَى رَبِّهَا، فَقَالَتْ رَبِّ أَكَلَ بَعْضِي بَعْضًا، فَأَذِنَ لَهَا بِنَفَسَيْنِ نَفَسٍ فِي الشِّتَاءِ وَنَفَسٍ فِي الصَّيْفِ، فَأَشَدُّ مَا تَجِدُونَ فِي الْحَرِّ، وَأَشَدُّ مَا تَجِدُونَ مِنَ الزَّمْهَرِيرِ ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “The (Hell) Fire complained to its Lord saying, ‘O my Lord! My different parts eat up each other.’ So, He allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in summer, and this is the reason for the severe heat and the bitter cold you find (in weather). [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 4, Hadeeth No. 482]

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏:‏ إِذَا اشْتَدَّ الْحَرُّ فَأَبْرِدُوا بِالصَّلاَةِ، فَإِنَّ شِدَّةَ الْحَرِّ مِنْ فَيْحِ جَهَنَّمَ‏ وَاشْتَكَتِ النَّارُ إِلَى رَبِّهَا فَقَالَتْ يَا رَبِّ أَكَلَ بَعْضِي بَعْضًا‏.‏ فَأَذِنَ لَهَا بِنَفَسَيْنِ نَفَسٍ فِي الشِّتَاءِ، وَنَفَسٍ فِي الصَّيْفِ، فَهُوَ أَشَدُّ مَا تَجِدُونَ مِنَ الْحَرِّ، وَأَشَدُّ مَا تَجِدُونَ مِنَ الزَّمْهَرِيرِ ‏

Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “In very hot weather delay the Dhuhr prayer till it becomes (a bit) cooler because the severity of heat is from the raging of the Hell-fire. The Hell-fire of Hell complained to its Lord saying: O Lord! My parts are eating (destroying) one another. So Allah allowed it to take two breaths, one in the winter and the other in the summer. The breath in the summer is at the time when you feel the severest heat and the breath in the winter is at the time when you feel the severest cold.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 1, Hadeeth No. 512]

And here’s why you might want to fast in winter:

عَنْ عَامِرِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ : الْغَنِيمَةُ الْبَارِدَةُ الصَّوْمُ فِي الشِّتَاءِ  

Amir bin Masud (radiallahu anhu) narrated that the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Fasting during the winter is an easy reward.” [Jaami At-Tirmidhi, Hadeeth No. 797. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]

However, summer fasting might bring in more reward:

 

Ibn Rajab went into detail with regards to the seasons. Here are some parts of it that have been translated by various authors:

Tulayhah

Winter – The Best Season

Virtues of Fasting in the Summer

Winter is a Time for Contemplation and Increased Worship

Here’s the translated book on Google Books.

Those who wish to see the year as a whole might like my tennis post.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what day it is, or what month it is or what season it is. A person who truly wishes to worship Allah will do so no matter what time of the year it is.

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