Salah guide · Friday
Jumu'ah: the Friday prayer
The weekly gathering of the Ummah, how it is prayed, and the sunnahs that make Friday the best day of the week (Sahih Muslim 854).
Jumu'ah is the Friday congregational prayer: two rak'ahs prayed aloud behind an imam after a khutbah (sermon), at the time of Dhuhr, which it replaces. It is obligatory for adult men who are not travelling or ill. The sunnahs of Friday include ghusl, going early, Surah al-Kahf and many salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.
Jumu'ah in the Qur'an
يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
Ya ayyuhal-ladhina amanu idha nudiya lis-salati min yawmil-jumu'ati fas'aw ila dhikrillahi wa dharul-bay'. Dhalikum khayrun lakum in kuntum ta'lamun.
O you who believe, when the call is made for the prayer on Friday, hurry to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if only you knew.
Qur'an 62:9 · read Surah al-Jumu'ah
Missing it carelessly is serious: “Whoever leaves three Jumu'ahs out of negligence, Allah seals his heart” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1052, Jami' at-Tirmidhi 500).
How the Friday prayer is prayed
- The adhan is called when the imam sits on the minbar.
- The khutbah: the imam gives two sermons with a short sitting between them (Sahih al-Bukhari 928). Listen in silence: telling even your neighbour “be quiet” during it is idle talk (Sahih al-Bukhari 934).
- The prayer: after the iqamah, two rak'ahs are prayed behind the imam, recited aloud.
- After: pray 4 sunnah rak'ahs (Sahih Muslim 881), or 2 at home (Sahih al-Bukhari 937).
If you arrive while the khutbah is going on, pray two short rak'ahs before sitting (Sahih Muslim 875). If you miss Jumu'ah, pray Dhuhr as normal (4 rak'ahs).
Who must attend: free adult resident men, by agreement; women, travellers, the sick and children are excused (Sunan Abi Dawud 1067). If they attend, it counts in place of Dhuhr. The minimum congregation is three for Hanafis, twelve for Malikis and forty for Shafi'is and Hanbalis. The Hanafi school also prays 4 sunnah before Jumu'ah.
The sunnahs of Friday
- Ghusl. “When one of you comes to Jumu'ah, let him do ghusl” (Sahih al-Bukhari 877). Most scholars hold it is a strong sunnah. See how to do ghusl.
- Clean clothes, perfume and siwak (Sahih al-Bukhari 880).
- Go early. Going in the first hour is like offering a camel, and the reward lessens hour by hour until the imam comes out (Sahih al-Bukhari 881).
- Read Surah al-Kahf. Reading it on Friday gives light between the two Fridays (al-Hakim in al-Mustadrak and al-Bayhaqi; graded sahih by al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami' 6470). Read Surah al-Kahf.
- Many salawat on the Prophet ﷺ. “Send many prayers on me on Friday, for your prayers are shown to me” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1047).
- Seek the hour of acceptance. There is an hour on Friday in which a Muslim's dua is answered (Sahih al-Bukhari 935, Sahih Muslim 852). Many scholars look for it in the last hour before Maghrib (Sunan Abi Dawud 1048).
Frequently asked questions
Is Jumu'ah compulsory for women?
No. Women are excused (Sunan Abi Dawud 1067). A woman may attend, and her Jumu'ah then counts instead of Dhuhr; otherwise she prays Dhuhr at home.
What if I miss the Friday prayer?
Pray Dhuhr, four rak'ahs. If you missed it without an excuse, repent as well, since missing Jumu'ah carelessly is a serious matter.
When should I read Surah al-Kahf on Friday?
Any time from sunset on Thursday until sunset on Friday, since the Islamic day begins at sunset.
Can I pray Jumu'ah at home?
No. Jumu'ah is a congregational prayer with a khutbah. Someone who cannot attend prays Dhuhr instead.
Does Jumu'ah count instead of Dhuhr for a traveller?
Yes. A traveller is not required to attend, but if he prays Jumu'ah it replaces Dhuhr.
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Make every Friday count
Niyat reminds you before Jumu'ah, has Surah al-Kahf ready with audio and word-by-word meaning, and finds mosques and prayer times wherever you are.
Download Niyat for iPhone Get it on Google PlayThis guide explains common practice with its sources. It is not a fatwa. Where your situation is unusual, ask a scholar you trust.