Friday has many distinguishing features and virtues that Allaah has bestowed upon this day and not others.
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah رضي الله عنه and Hudhayfah رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Allaah led those who came before us away from Friday (Jumu'ah). The Jews had Saturday, and the Christians had Sunday. Then Allaah brought us and Allaah guided us to Friday. So there is Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and thus they will follow us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of the people of this world but we will be the first on the Day of Resurrection, and we will be dealt with before all others."
[Narrated by Muslim, 856]
It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws رضي الله عنه that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The best of your days is Friday (Jumu'ah). On that day Adam (alayhis-sallam) was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown and on that day all of creation will swoon. So send a great deal of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me." They said, "O Messenger of Allaah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?" He said, "Allaah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets, عليهم الصلاة والسلام - peace be upon them." [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1047; classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله in his comments on Sunan Abi Dawood]
It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) said: The Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The best day on which the sun rises is Friday (Jumu'ah). On it Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise and on it he was expelled therefrom." [Narrated by Muslim, 1410]
This hadeeth includes some of the reasons why Friday is regarded as special.
Al-Nawawi رحمة اللہ علیه said: Al-Qaadi 'Iyaad رحمة اللہ علیه said: The apparent meaning is that these virtues do not mean that Friday is regarded as special because Adam (alayhis-sallam - peace be upon him) was expelled on a Friday and the Hour will begin on a Friday. Rather it is meant to explain what momentous events took place and will take place on this day, so that people will make the most of this day to do righteous deeds, so as to attain the mercy of Allaahand ward off His punishment.
It was narrated that Abu Lubaabah ibn 'Abd al-Mundhir رضي الله عنه said: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Friday is the master of days, and the greatest of them before Allaah. It is greater before Allaah than the day of al-Adha and the day of al-Fitr. It has five characteristics: on this day Allaah created Adam, on it He sent Adam down to the earth, on it Allaah caused Adam to die, on it there is a time when a person does not ask Allaah for anything but He gives it to him, so long as he does not ask for anything haraam (forbidden), and on it the Hour will begin. There is no angel who is close to Allaah, no heaven, no earth, no wind, no mountain and no sea that does not fear Friday." [Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1084]
Al-Sanadi رحمة اللہ علیه said: "They fear Friday" means they fear the onset of the Hour. This indicates that all created beings are aware of the days and they know that the
The virtues of this day include the following:
1 - On it is Salaat al-Jumu'ah (Friday prayer), which is the best of prayer.
Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:
"O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off
Muslim (233) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The five daily prayers and from one Jumu'ah to the next is an expiation for whatever sins come in between them, so long as one does not commit a major sin."
2 - Praying Fajr in congregation on Fridays is the best prayer that the Muslim can pray during the week.
It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar (رضي الله عنهما) said: The Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The best prayer before Allaah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation." [Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Eemaan]
One of the special features of Fajr prayer on Friday is that it is Sunnah to recite Soorat al-Sajdah in the first rak'ah and Soorat al-Insaan in the second.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to recite in Fajr prayer in Fridays Soorat al-Sajdah (32) in the first rak'ah and Soorat al-Insaan (76) in the second. [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 851; Muslim, 880]
Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar رحمة اللہ علیه said: 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.
3 - Whoever dies during the day or night of Friday, Allaah will protect him from the trial of the grave.
It was narrated that 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Amr رضي الله عنه said: The Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "There is no Muslim who dies during the day of Friday or the night of Friday but Allaah will protect him from the trial of the grave."
[Narrated by al-Tirmidhi, 1074]
These are some of the virtues of Friday. We ask Allaah to help us to please Him.
There are many acts of worship which are prescribed for the Muslim to do on this day. These include:
1 - Salaat al-Jumu'ah (Friday prayer)
Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says:
"O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salaah (prayer) on Friday (Jumu'ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allaah [Jumu'ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salaah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!"
[al-Jumu'ah 62:9]
Ibn al-Qayyim (رحمه الله) said in Zaad al-Ma'aad (1/376): Friday prayer is one of the most important obligations in Islam, and one of the greatest gatherings of the Muslims. Gathering on Friday is more important and more obligatory than any other gathering apart from 'Arafah. Whoever neglects it, Allaah will place a seal on his heart.
It was narrated from Abu'l-Ja'd al-Damari (رضي الله عنه) - who was a companion of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) - that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Whoever neglects three Jumu'ahs, Allaah will place a seal on his heart."[Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1052]
It was narrated from 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar رضي الله عنهما and Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that they heard the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) say on the minbar: "Let people stop neglecting Jumu'ah, or Allaah will place a seal on their hearts, then they will be among those who are neglectful." [Narrated by Muslim, 865]
2 - Making a lot of du'aa'
On this day there is a time when a person's Lord will answer his du'aa' - by Allaah's leave.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Messenger of Allaah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mentioned Friday and said: "On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allaah for something, but Allaah will grant him it" - and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is. [Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 893; Muslim, 852]
Also see: Time of the acceptance of Dua - By Shaykh Riyad ul Haq (It is explained that one of the most famous views (and this is the opinion of the majority of the scholars), is that the time of the acceptance of Du'a is after Asr prayer until sunset, on Jumu'ah (friday). And most preferably right towards the end. Imam Ahmed (رحمه الله) says that most of the ahadeeth support this)
3 - Reading Soorat al-Kahf.
It was narrated from Abu Sa'eed al-Khduri (رضي الله عنهradiallahu anh) that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays." [Narrated by al-Haakim]
Also see: Virtues of Surah Kahf - By Shaykh Riyad ul Haq حفظه الله, and The Virtues of Reciting Surah Kahf on Jumu'ah (Friday)
4 - Sending a lot of blessings upon the Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam)
It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws رضي الله عنه that the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam (peace be upon him) was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown; and on that day all of creation will swoon. So send a great deal of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me." They said, "O Messenger of Allaah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?" He said, "Allaah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets, peace be upon them." [Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1047; classed as saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim رحمه الله in his comments on Sunan Abi Dawood, 4/273]
He said in 'Awn al-Ma'bood: Friday is singled out because it is the best of days and the chosen day. So there is an advantage to sending blessings upon him on that day that is not present on any other day.
Along with these virtues and acts of worship, the Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) forbade singling out Friday for fasting, or singling out the night of Friday for doing acts of worship that are not narrated in sharee'ah.
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Do not single out the night of Friday for qiyaam al-layl, and do not single out the day of Friday for fasting, unless that is part of the habitual fasting of any one of you." [Narrated by Muslim, 1144]
Al-Nawawi (رحمه الله) said: This hadeeth clearly states that it is forbidden to single out the night of Friday for prayer or the day of Friday for fasting. It is agreed (among the scholars) that this is makrooh (disliked).
He also said: The scholars said that the reason why it is forbidden to single out Friday for fasting is that Friday is a day of du'aa', dhikr and worship, such as ghusl, going early to the prayer, waiting for the prayer, listening to the khutbah and reciting a lot of dhikr afterwards, because Allaah سبحانه و تعالى says: "Then when the (Jumu'ah) Salaah (prayer) is ended, you may disperse through the land, and seek the Bounty of Allaah (by working), and remember Allaah much"[al-Jumu'ah 62:10]
And there are other acts of worship to be done on this day. So it is preferable not to fast then, as this will help a person to perform these duties in an energetic manner and enjoy them without feeling bored or tired. This is like the pilgrim on the day of 'Arafah in 'Arafah, because the Sunnah is for him not to fast on that day for the same reason... This is the reason for not allowing singling out Friday for fasting.
Abud-Darda' (رضي الله عنه) reported: The Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever commits to memory the first ten Ayat of the Surat Al-Kahf, will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).''[Muslim]
In another narration, the Messenger of Allah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "(Whoever commits to memory) the last ten Ayat of Surat Al-Kahf, he will be protected from (the trial of) Ad-Dajjal (Antichrist).''
Ad-Dajjal will appear sometime before Yaum-ul-Qiyamah. Allah, the Almighty will give him some supernatural powers the manifestation of which will shake the faith of many people. For this reason, this will be a serious trial. All Prophets (alayhimus-sallam) warned their people against him. Our Prophet (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also warned us against him and ordered us to guard ourselves from it and strictly advised us to seek Refuge of Allah against it.
It was narrated that Ibn 'Umar (رضي الله عنهما) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (salallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:'Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah (Friday), a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.'" [Al-Mundhiri رحمة اللہ علیه said, this was narrated by Abu Bakr ibn Mardawayh رحمة اللہ علیه in his Tafseer, with an isnaad with which there was nothing wrong]
From Abu Sa'eed al-Khudri (رضي الله عنه), who said: "Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the night of Jumu'ah (Friday), will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ancient House (the Ka'bah)." [Narrated by al-Daarimi, 3407]
"Whoever reads Soorat al-Kahf on the day of Jumu'ah (Friday), will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next." [Narrated by al-Haakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249. Ibn Hajar said in Takhreej al-Adhkaar that this is a hasan hadeeth, and he said, this is the strongest report that has been narrated concerning reading Soorat al-Kahf. See: Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/198]
The soorah may be read during the night or the day of Jumu'ah. The night of Jumu'ah starts from sunset on Thursday, and the day of Jumu'ah ends at sunset. Therefore the time for reading this soorah extends from sunset on Thursday to sunset on Friday.
Al-Mannaawi رحمة اللہ علیه said: Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar رحمة اللہ علیه said in his Amaali: "In some reports it says 'the day of Jumu'ah' and in some reports it says 'the night of Jumu'ah'. They may be reconciled by saying that what is meant is the day which includes the night and vice versa." (Fayd al-Qadeer, 6/199)