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Jum'a-tul-Mubarak
Of all the religious obligations of a Muslim, the most important is
Prayer of Salat. It is compulsory for all Muslims, men and women
equally. The Holy Quran states:
"Observe Prayer in the prescribed form. It
is enjoined on the believers to be performed at its appointed times."
(4:104)
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All the
compulsory Prayers should be performed in congregation if possible.
On Friday, however, a special mid-day Prayer Service is held in
place of Zuhr Prayer. This is called Jum'a Prayer. Of all the
Prayers, none is so essential to be offered in congregation as the
Jum'a Prayer. The Jum'a, in fact, is the greatest Muslim festival.
Muslims are asked to leave all their worldly pursuits when they are
called tothe Friday Prayer, and assemble in mosque to offer this
Prayer with due observance of all its requirements. The Holy
Quran states:
O ye who believe, when the call is made for
Prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of God and leave off all
business, that is better for you, if you only knew. (62:10)
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"Your best day is Friday, so you should be diligent on that
day in calling down blessings on me, for your blessings are conveyed
to me." (Sunan Abu Daud)
"The best of days on which sun rises is Friday; on that day
was Adam created, on that day he was admitted to the Garden and on
that day was he expelled therefrom." (Muslim)
In regards to the preparation for Friday Prayer Service, the Holy
Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"A Muslim takes a bath on a Friday, makes himself thoroghly
clean, and uses scented oil or just some perfume. Having thus
freshened up, he goes to the mosque. He occupies a place without
disturbing people sitting on his right and left. He offers the
prescribed prayers, and when the Imam appears, he listens to him in
silence. May God forgive his sins between that Friday and the last."
(Bukhari)
Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that concerning
Friday the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
"There is on that day a brief period of time during the
service when whatever supplication a Muslim servant of Allah makes
is granted." He indicated with his hand that the period is very
short. (Muslim)
Abu Said Khudri, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that hte
Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
"Bath on Friday is obligatory on every adult Muslim." (Muslim)
Ammar bin Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, relates that he
heard the Holy Prophet, peace be upon him, say:
"The length of a person's Prayer and the brevity of his sermon
testify to his intelligence. Make your Prayer long and your sermon
short." (Muslim)
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