It is reported by Aws ibn Aws that the Messenger of Allah, Sallallahu Alaihi Was Sallim (SAW), said, “The most excellent of our days is the day of congregation”. The day of congregation begins after the prayer of Maghrib on Thursday night and ends after the prayer of Maghrib on Friday night. This is commonly known as Friday. There are many blessed things that happen on Friday. Adam, Alaihi Salam (AS), was created on a Friday. Allah, Subhanahuwataallah (SWT), created the universe in six days. He began his work on Sunday and finished it on a Friday. On Friday, Adam was given his soul. It was on a Friday that Adam’s repentance was accepted by Allah (SWT). He was created on Friday and died on Friday. The resurrection will start on Friday. On a Friday, the trumpet will be blown. Allah (SWT) says, in his Qur’an, “O’, you who believe, when the call to prayer is sounded on the day of congregation, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave business alone. That is better for you if you but knew.” Surah Jumu’ah 62:9.
On the blessed day of the congregation, all of creation praises Allah (SWT)! The angels in the heaven praise him also. Beyond the 7th heaven stands the prosperous house, (Baitul Ma’Mur), besides which rises a tall minaret along with a pulpit and prayer niche. When Friday comes, Jabril (AS) gives the call to prayer, the athan from this minaret while Israfil (AS) climbs the pulpit and delivers the Khutbah (sermon). Mikail acts as the Imam and leads the congregational prayer. All the angels of heaven and earth make up the congregation just as we fill the mosques to perform our Friday prayers. When the prayer is over, Jabril (AS) makes this supplication, “I devote the reward for the call to prayer that I recited today to all the mu’aththins who gave the call to prayer on earth. Allhamdulillah! Israfil (AS) says, “I present the reward for the sermon I delivered to the credit of all the preachers (kateebs) who delivered Khutbahs on the earth, Alhamdulillah, Mikail adds, “My Lord, I offer the rewards for the Friday prayers that I led to the Imams who led the Friday prayers on earth.” Allhamdulillah!
Then all the angels of heaven and earth, who perform the Friday prayers say, “Our Lord, we offer the reward for our Friday prayer to the community, of Muhammad (SWT) that prayed behind the Imams on earth, please accept. Then Allah, (SWT), announces his good tidings and the manifestation of his all Mercifulness, by saying, “Oh, my angels, do you know how great my Generosity for the believers who perform the Friday prayer is? For the sake of my Might and Majesty, I have pardoned the existing sins of those of my servants who perform the Friday prayers in obedience to my command and who follow the guidance of my beloved Muhammad (SAW), Subhanallah, Subhanallah!
The sins of those who make the Friday prayer are forgiven from one Friday to the next. It is said that the performance of the Friday prayer is the poor man’s blessed pilgrimage, the poor man’s Hajj. Going to the mosque and then back home again is like making the Tawwaf around the revered Ka’bah, Alhamdulillah! Coming from home and going back home, is like making Sa’ee, between Safa and Marwa. Alhamdulillah! Standing for prayer is like standing on Arafat. Allahu Akbar!! Listening to the Khutbah is like stoning the shaitan at the Jamaraat. My dear brothers and sisters and children in Islam, by all means, if you are able to go to Friday prayer on the blessed day of congregation, do so. Do so, make time from your jobs if it is possible, make time from your house work if possible, make time from your school if possible. For the blessings that we receive by attending the congregational of prayer on the blessed day of congregation is better “if we only knew, if we only knew”. As Salaamu Alaikum!
Muslim Center 