Why is Friday special?

What is the merit of Friday over other days ? and why ?.

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah.

Friday has many distinguishing features and virtues that Allaah has
bestowed upon this day and not others.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah and Hudhayfah (may Allaah be
pleased with them) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Allaah led those who came
before us away from Friday. 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.

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy upon him) said:

Al-Qaadi said: The apparent meaning is that it was obligatory for
them to venerate Friday but this was not stated clearly; the matter
was left to their own reasoning… But they (Christians & Jews)
did not manage to work it out and Allaah did not guide them to it. It was
enjoined clearly upon this ummah (nation), and was not left to their own
reasoning, thus they were blessed with it … It was narrated that
Moosa (Moses - peace be upon him) enjoined Friday upon them and told
them (the Jews) of its virtues, but they disputed with him and argued that
Saturday was better, and it was said to him, `Let them be.' Al-Qaadi said:
if there had been a clear command, their arguing with him would not have
been valid, rather it would have been said to him that they were going
against the command. I say: it may be that that was clearly enjoined upon
them but they disputed as to whether it was something they had to adhere
to or they could change it to another day; they decided to change it to another day
and they erred greatly thereby.

It comes as no surprise that Friday was specifically enjoined upon
them and they went against that.

Al-Haafiz (may Allah have mercy upon him) said: How can it be otherwise
when they (the Jews) are the ones who said "We hear and we disobey"?

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 in
his comments on Sunan Abi Dawood, 4/273; classed as saheeh by al-
Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood, 925.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him)
said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: "The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On it
Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Heaven 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 said:

Al-Qaadi `Iyaad said: The apparent meaning is that these virtues do
not mean that Friday is regarded as special because Adam 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 Allaah and ward off
His punishment. This is the view of al-Qaadi. Abu Bakr ibn al-
`Arabi said: All of these events are good and add to the virtue of Friday.
The expulsion of Adam from Heaven is the reason why his offspring and the
Messengers, the Prophets, the righteous and the awliya'
(the friends / supporters / allies of Allah) exist. He was not expelled from it as such,
but rather it was for a purpose, then he will return to it. With regard to the Hour
(the Day of Resurrection) beginning on a Friday, the reason is so that the reward
may be hastened for the Prophets, believers in truth, awliya' and others, and their
honour and high status may be made manifest. This hadeeth points to the virtues
of Friday and its high status in relation to the other days.

It was narrated that Abu Lubaabah ibn `Abd al-Mundhir said: The
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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 (the 2 Eids). 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 them, so long as they does not ask for
anything haraam (illegal), 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; classed as hasan by Shaykh al-Albaani
in Saheeh al-Jaami', no. 2279

Al-Sanadi 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 Day of Resurrection will come on a Friday.

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 says (interpretation of the meaning):

"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]

Muslim (233) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with
him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) 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 said: The Messenger (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "The best prayer before
Allaah is Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation."

Narrated by al-Bayhaqi in Shu'ab al-Eemaan; classed as saheeh by al-
Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami', 1119

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 (may Allaah be pleased with him)
that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to
recite in Fajr prayer in Fridays Alif-Laam-Meem Tanzeel (Soorat al-
Sajdah) in the first rak'ah and Hal ata `ala'l-insaan heenun min al-
dahr lam yakun shay'an madhkooran (Soorat al-Insaan) in the second.

Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 851; Muslim, 880.

Al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar 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 said: The Messenger of
Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) 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; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in
Ahkaam al-Janaa'iz, p. 49, 50

These are some of the virtues of Friday. We ask Allaah to help us to
please Him.

And Allaah knows best.

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