The imam of a masjid in Newark, New Jersey, was shot and killed early on Wednesday morning by an unknown attacker who remains at large.

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Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reported that the Prophet (S.A.W) said “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created; on it he was made to enter Paradise; on it he was expelled from it; and the [last] hour (the Day of Resurrection) will take place on no day other than Friday.” (Muslim)

In order to adequately utilize and benefit from the special day, Friday, the Prophet (S.A.W) encouraged Muslims to do the following: 

1. TAKE A BATH (GHUSL)

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudr reports: I testify that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) said, ‘The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and also cleaning of teeth with Siwak and using perfume, if available’. [Sahih Bukhari]

2. USE SIWAK TO CLEAN YOUR TEETH

Siwaak means cleaning the mouth and teeth with a siwaak, which is the name given to the tool used. The siwaak is a stick or twig used for this purpose.

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “This day [Friday] is a day of Eid, Allah Ta’ala has made it such for the Muslims. So have a bath, whoever has fragrance should apply it, and use the miswak.”

3. WEAR CLEAN, PRESENTABLE AND PREFERABLY NEW CLOTHES BEFORE THE FRIDAY PRAYER

“Put on your adornment on every occasion of prayer” (Surat al-A’raf (7): 31)

4. APPLY PERFUME/ OUD (MAKE SURE IT’S NON-ALCOHOLIC)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “This day [Friday] is a day of Eid, Allah Ta’ala has made it such for the Muslims. So have a bath, whoever has fragrance should apply it, and use the miswak.”

5. CUT YOUR NAILS

Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) reported that ‘Five are the demonstrations of fitra (nature/ instinct): 1) circumcision, 2) evacuating the hair underneath the navel, 3) trimming the mustache, 4) trimming the nails, and 5) culling the hair under the arms.’

6. READ SURAH AL-KAHF

The Prophet (S.A.W) said: “Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” (Narrated by al-Haakim; Grade Saheeh by al-Albaani)

7. SEND DUROOD AND BLESSINGS UPON THE PROPHET MUHAMMAD (S.A.W) ABUNDANTLY

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (S.A.W) said: “The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam (A.S.) was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown, and on that day all of the creation will swoon. So send a lot of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?” He said, “Allah 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]

8. MAKE LOTS OF DUAS BETWEEN ASR AND MAGHREB

“There is a special hour on Friday, during which all prayers are accepted and answered by Allah, all Glory and Praise be to Him. This is part of the blessings that Allah has blessed this day with, over all the other days of the week. “On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it” – and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahim Ullah) said that this golden hour is to be found in the time after the Asr prayer until the Maghreb Adhaan (end of day): “Friday has twelve hours (or part of it). There is one hour during which if a Muslim asks Allah anything, Allah will give it to him, so find it during the last hour after Asr.” [Abu Dawud & An-Nasai]

9. GO TO THE MASJID AS EARLY AS YOU CAN

Allah says in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salah (prayer) on Friday (Jumuah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumuah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” [al-Jumu’ah 62:9]

Abu Hurairah reported that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) said,’ When it is Jumuah, the Angels stand at the gate of the masjid and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the masjid in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the masjid in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice); the one coming next is like one offering a cow, and then a ram; and then a chicken; and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumu’ah sermon) they (i.e. Angels) fold their papers and listen to the sermon.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

10. WALK TO THE MASJID INSTEAD OF TAKING THE CAR

If the masjid is a trekkable distance, get more reward by leaving your car.

Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:

He who purifies (performs Wudhu) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (masjid) for performing an obligatory Salah, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” (Muslim)

11. DON’T SEPARATE TWO PEOPLE TO MAKE A SPACE FOR YOURSELF. SIT IN AN EMPTY SPACE.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said: Stepping over people is haraam during the khutbah and at other times, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to a man whom he saw stepping over people: “Sit down, for you are causing annoyance.” That is even more forbidden if it happens during the khutbah, because it is causing annoyance to people and distracting them from listening to the khutbah, even if he is moving towards a gap. End quote.

Fataawa wa Rasaa’il al-Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 16/147.

12. LISTEN TO THE KHUTBAH OF JUMMAH (FRIDAY SERMON) ATTENTIVELY

Prophet (S.A.W) said “if a man takes a bath on Friday, cleans himself as much as he can, oils his hair, applies perfume available in his house, sets forth for the mosque, does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself). Performs as many prayers as written (by Allah) for him, remains silent when the Imam speaks, for his sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven” [Al-Bukhari].

This hadith clearly talks about the importance of listening to the Friday sermon:

“Whoever says to his friend while Imam is delivering Khutbah on Friday “keep quiet” has also commit an absurdity.” (Muslim and Bukhari)

The post Jumu’ah: 12 Important Sunnahs You Should Do Every Friday appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.