Why are the most important services in Islam held on Fridays?

Sources

• ✓ 62:9 · Al-Jumu'a

  62:9 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall

  يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

  O ye who believe! When the call is heard for the prayer of the day of congregation, haste unto remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you if ye did but know.

• ✓ Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 62:9

  Sunni

  Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 62:9

  The term "Jumu'ah" (Friday) is derived from the word "gathering" because on this day Muslims congregate weekly at major mosques. It is the day that completes the assembly of all creation. Friday is significant as the sixth day of the six days in which Allah created the heavens and the earth. It is on this day that Adam was created, admitted to Paradise, and then expelled from it. The Hour (Day of Resurrection) will also be established on Friday. There is a special hour on this day during which no believing servant who asks Allah for good is denied, as affirmed by authentic hadiths. A narration from Ibn Abi Hatim cites that Salman narrated from Abu al-Qasim (the Prophet ﷺ) asking, “What is the day of Jumu'ah?” Salman replied, “Allah and His Messenger know best.” The Prophet ﷺ explained, “It is the day your fathers were gathered.” A similar narration comes from Abu Hurayrah. Historically, this day was known as "the day of gathering" or "the day of assembly." Previous nations were commanded to observe a special day but went astray. The Jews fixed on Saturday, as no creation began on it; Christians on Sunday, as creation began then; Allah chose Friday for this community, the day He completed creation. This is reported in hadiths from both Bukhari and Muslim, where the Prophet ﷺ said: “We (Muslims) are the last but will be foremost on the Day of Resurrection, though others were given the Book before us. Then this is their day which Allah prescribed, but they differed. Allah guided us to it; people follow us on this day: the Jews the next day and Christians the day after.” Muslim also records that Allah misled previous peoples to their chosen day, and brought guidance to this ummah’s Friday, which Allah made special alongside Saturday and Sunday, with the followers adhering accordingly on the Day of Judgment. Allah commands believers to assemble for worship on Friday: "O you who believe, when the call to prayer on Friday is made, hasten to the remembrance of Allah." Ibn Kathir clarifies that "hasten" here means to make sincere effort and care in attending the congregational prayer, not necessarily to run quickly. Umar ibn al-Khattab and Ibn Mas'ud read it as "go to the remembrance of Allah," emphasizing intention and seriousness. This is supported by authentic hadiths prohibiting rushing and requiring calmness and dignity in approaching the prayer. Abu Qatada reported that when people hurried to the prayer, the Prophet ﷺ advised against rushing, instructing to walk calmly; pray what they catch and complete what they miss after. It is recommended to take a ritual bath (ghusl) before attending Friday prayer, as established by authentic hadiths from Abdullah ibn Umar and Abu Sa'id al-Khudri stating it is obligatory for every person in a state of major impurity (janabah). Also, the Prophet ﷺ said every Muslim should cleanse themselves at least once every seven days, preferably on Friday. Ahmad narrates a hadith from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi in which the Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs ghusl and takes a bath on Friday, arrives early, walks (to the mosque) instead of riding, sits near the imam, listens attentively, and avoids indecency, will earn the reward of a year’s fast and night prayer for each step.” This hadith is authenticated and found in all four standard collections. Another hadith from Abu Hurayrah states that taking a ghusl on Friday is like offering various types of sacrifices depending on the hour one arrives, with angels attending after the imam comes out for the khutbah. It is also recommended to wear one’s best clothes, apply perfume, use the siwak (tooth-stick), and maintain cleanliness. The Prophet ﷺ instructed the use of perfume and siwak on Friday. Regarding the call to prayer, Ibn Kathir explains that the announcement mentioned is the second adhan—given just before the imam sits on the minbar to deliver the khutbah—introduced during Uthman’s reign to accommodate the increasing number of people. Initially, only one call was made at the start of prayer during the Prophet’s time and that of the first two caliphs. Attendance at Friday prayer is obligatory for free adult men, excluding women, slaves, and children, with valid excuses allowed for travelers, the sick, and similar circumstances as detailed in jurisprudence. The verse commands: “And leave off trade when the call is proclaimed to prayer.” Scholars unanimously agree selling and buying are forbidden after the second adhan until the prayer is over. There is a reported difference of opinion however on sale validity if mutually agreed upon during this time, though the apparent meaning prohibits such transactions. “That is best for you, if you only knew,” indicates that abandoning trade and focusing on Allah’s remembrance and prayer benefits believers in this life and the Hereafter. When the prayer is finished, believers are permitted to disperse in the land and seek Allah’s bounty. This permission was given after prohibiting commerce at the call of prayer but ordering gathering beforehand. For example, an incident is recorded where a companion prayed then made du’a asking Allah to bless the bounty sought afterward. Some early scholars reported that sale and purchase after the Friday prayer are blessed by Allah. The order to remember Allah abundantly implies remembering Him during one’s business dealings so that worldly pursuits do not distract from what benefits the soul in the Hereafter. A hadith supports this, saying whoever enters a market and confidently recites certain phrases glorifying Allah earns the reward of a thousand good deeds forgiven of a thousand sins. Mujahid said one is not truly among those who remember Allah much until he does so standing, sitting, and lying down—that is, consistently in all states. In sum, this ayah establishes the sanctity of Friday as a day of gathering and worship, its superior status among the creation events, the recommended etiquette for attending the Jumu'ah prayer, and the prohibitions and permissions regulating business transactions during this sacred time.

• ✓ Sunan Ibn Majah 6:282

  Sunni Hasan (per Al-Albani)

  Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 6, Hadith 282 · Narrated by Abi Lubaba ibn Abd al-Mundhir

  The Prophet said: Friday is the master of days and the greatest in the sight of Allah. It is greater in Allah’s estimation than the Day of Sacrifice and the Day of Breaking Fast. On it, five things occurred among Allah's creations: Adam was created, Allah cast Adam down to earth, Adam died, there is an hour in which whoever asks Allah will be granted what he asks, provided he does not ask for something forbidden, and the Hour will be established. There is no exalted angel, sky, earth, wind, mountain, or sea that is not fearful of the Day of Friday.