Friday Prayer
Friday is a day of special importance for Muslims. The following verses of the Holy Quran relate to congregational prayers on Friday:
"O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (The day of assembly) hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic) that is best for you if ye but knew! And when the prayer is finished, then may ye disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah,.... "(62: 9,10)
Friday prayers take the place of the Zuhr prayers on that day, and may not be offered Qaza, therefore whoever misses it, cannot make up for it. Instead, he has to offer the Zuhr prayer. Friday prayer must be offered in the congregation.
Friday prayers are obligatory on all adult males of sound mind, who are healthy and are residents. Those exempted from attending the mosque for Friday prayer are minors, slaves, the sick, travelers, and women. These people are to offer Zuhr prayers in their homes. All normal work is allowed on Friday.
The Muslims can carry on with their usual duties and activities provided they come to the congregational service on time. After the service is over, they may return to their business and other worldly activities. It is traditional to take bath on Friday and to wear clean clothes.
Muslims are required to leave their business and go to the mosque so that they hear the Azaan for Friday prayers, On reaching the mosque, one should first offer the Tahayyat-ul-Masjid prayers and then the four Pre-far Sunnat.
The second Azaan is called before the Khutba. After the Azaan the Imam stands up and faces the audience, and delivers the Khutba, or the sermon, which is an essential part of the Friday service. The Khutba is Farz and listening to it is Wajib.
While the Khutba is being delivered, no conversation is allowed. Even praying, reading the Quran, or reciting Durood is forbidden. Everyone should be seated and listen to the Khutba quietly till the end.
The Khutba consists of two parts, each of which begins with praising Allah and asking for blessings for the Holy Prophet PBUH. In the first part, some Quranic passages are recited and explained. After this, the Imam sits down for a short rest and then stands up to deliver the second part of the sermon. In this part especially. the imam prays for the general welfare of the Muslims.
After the Khutba, aqamat is called and people arrange themselves in rows.
Two obligatory Raka'at are offered under the leadership of the Imam who recites the Sana. Ta'awwuz and Tasmiya in the first Raka'at in a low voice.
Then the Imam recites Surah Fatihah and some other passages from the Quran in a loud voice in both Rakaat. The Muqtadis should listen to the Imam's recitation and say Ameen in a low voice. When this is done, the prayer is complete.
The Muqtadis may now offer individually four Sunnat, followed by two more Sunnat and two Nafl.
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