The Importance of Friday!

Friday is the best day of the week. Imam Bukhari and Muslim reported that Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had said,

"We (Muslims) came last and yet we are the first on the day of judgment. They have received the books before us (meaning Torah and Injil). We have received the book after them (meaning the Qur’an). Friday was their day to be glorified. However, they disputed on that while Allah had told us Friday is the day to glorify. Thus they will follow us. The Jews glorify Saturday, and the Christians glorify Sunday."

Also reported by Imam Muslim, Abo-Dawod, Al-Nesaii, and Al-Termithi, that Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had said,

"The best day during which the sun have risen is Friday. It is the Day Adam was created. It is the day when Adam entered paradise and also when he was taken out from it. It is also the day on which the day of judgment takes place."

Muslims are supposed to do the following on Fridays:

• Men are obligated to participate in Friday Prayer. Allah (S.W.T.) said in Surat Al-Jumauah, (verse 9), what can be translated as, "O’ you who believe! When the call is proclaimed to Prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is best for you if you but knew."

In addition, prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had warned from not attending Friday Prayer. Imam Muslim and Ahmad had reported that Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said about people who do not attend Friday Prayer, "I wanted to ask a man to lead people in the prayer so that I may go and burn houses of men who did not attend the Friday Prayer with us" He also said reported by Imam Muslim, Ahmad and An-Nesaii,

"Either they (meaning people who do not attend the Friday prayer) stop neglecting Friday prayers or Allah will set a seal on their hearts so they can not find the right path again."

In another authentic hadith reported by Abu Dawod, Termithi, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"Who ever does not attend three Friday prayers, (without a valid excuse) Allah will set a seal on his heart"


• It is also recommended to increase supplication especially at the last hour of the day since it is the hour when requests are replied by Allah. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam An-Nesaii, Abu-Dawod, and Al-hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"Friday has 12 hours, one of which is the hour where cries are granted for Muslim believers. This hour is sought at the last hour after Asar."

• It is encouraged to wish peace be upon prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) during Fridays and Friday’s night because of an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ibn-Majah, that the Prophet Muhammed (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"The best day is Friday. On Friday Adam was created, and died. On Friday is the first time the trumpet is blown (meaning when every creature dies) and the second time the trumpet is blown (referring to resurrection). So increase the number of times you wish peace upon me since this prayer will be shown to me."

They asked him, How will our prayers be shown to you after you have vanished. He replied, "Allah has prohibited earth to cause the body of prophets to decay."


• It is recommended that Muslims recite surat Al-Kahf, because of the authentic hadith reported by Imam Al-Baihaqee, and Al-Hakim, that the prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) had said,

Who ever recites surat Al-Kahf on Friday, Allah will give him a light to the next Friday."

• It is also recommended that Muslims clean and wash themselves and make sure they smell nice when they attend Friday Prayers. Imam Muslim and Bukhari reported that the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"Every Muslim is obligated to bath on Fridays and wear his best cloth. Also, he should use perfume if he has any."

• It is important to come early to the Friday prayer. All of the hadith collectors, except Ibn-Majah, reported in an authentic hadith that the prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"If one washes himself and then went to Friday Prayer, it is considered as if he donated a camel for the sake of Allah. However, If he went in the second hour then it is considered as if he donated a cow and if the third hour then as if he donated a big sheep and if the fourth hour then as if he donated a chicken and if the fifth hour then as if he donated an egg. Then when the Imam starts delivering the speech the angels come and listen to it."

Also in anther authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod that the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"On Friday the angels come to stand on the doors of the mosque (masjid), the angels record who comes first, if the Imam starts delivering the speech, the angles close their files and come to listen to the speech."

• It is forbidden to work on Fridays when the call for the prayer is announced because Allah says in surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 9), what can be translated as,

"When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday hasten earnestly to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business."


• Also, it is forbidden to talk during the Khutbah. Several sayings of prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) covers this subject. In an authentic hadith reported by (the group of Ahadith collectors), except Ibn-Majah that prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said,

If you told your friend to pay attention on Friday while the Imam is delivering the speech then you committed a sin of vain talk."

Another authentic hadith which was reported by Imam Ibn-Majah and Attermizi that prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) said,

"Even who touches the gravel on the floor then he committed vain talk, and he who does commit that there will be no (Jumuah) Friday for him."

• It is also disliked to walk between sitting people during Friday gathering unless there is an empty spot to fill. In an authentic hadith reported by Imam Abu-Dawod, An-Nesaii, and Ahmad that, A man came and started walking between people during a Friday gathering while Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was delivering his speech, so the Prophet told him, "Sit because you caused harm to other people and came in late."

It was not legislated to consider Friday as a day off and not work during it. Because Allah (S.W.T.) said in surat Al-Jumu’ah, (verse 10), what can be translated as,

"And when the prayer is finished, then you may disperse through the land and seek of the bounty of Allah."

It was not a habit of any of the companions to consider Friday as a day to take off work. On the contrary Imam Al-Malek said, "It is disliked to take Friday off since we will be resembling the Jews and Christians for taking, respectively, Saturday or Sunday off."

Finally , there are two important matters for us in this country to be cautioned of. First of all, we must not neglect Friday Prayers because of work, study, or other matters. Every Muslims should make attending Friday Prayer as his top priority. It is important to do so since ignoring it three times with no valid reason will cause the heart to be sealed from the right path.

The second matter to watch for is the loosing of one’s interest in the importance of Friday. This is especially important for the growing generation who are used to the concept of weekend being Saturday and Sunday and know almost nothing about the importance of Friday in the eyes of Muslims. So it is our duty to remind them and ourselves about this great day which is the best day of the week and try to spend it according to Islamic teaching.

Lailat-ul-Qadr - The night of Power

LAILATUL-QADR

Its excellence is great, since in this night the Noble Qur'aan was sent down, which leads one who clings to it, to the path of honour and nobility, and raises him to the summit of distinction and everlasting life. The Muslims who adhere strictly to the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger SAW do not raise flags on this night, nor suspend colourful decorations. Rather they vie in standing during it (Lailatul-Qadr) in Prayer out of sincere faith and hoping for reward. Here, O Muslim, are the Qur'aanic Aayaat and authentic prophetic ahaadeeth referring to this night:
* Its excellence
As regards its excellence it is more than sufficient to mention that Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months, He, the Mighty and Majestic, says:
" Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Gabriel) by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn." (Al-Qadr 97: 1-5)
And in it every decreed matter for the year is conveyed, He, the Most High says:
" We sent it (this Qur'aan) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Qur'aan or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6)
* When is it?
It is reported from the Prophet SAW that it is within the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-ninth or the last night of Ramadhan.
Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee, rahimahullaah, said: To me it is as the Prophet SAW used to answer according to the question posed, it would be said to him: "Shall I seek it in such and such night?" So he would reply: "Seek it in such and such night." And Allaah knows best. (Reported from him by al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah)
The most correct saying is that it occurs in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhan and this is shown by the hadeeth of 'Aa'ishah, RA, who said: "Allaah Messenger SAW used to practice I'tikaaf in the last ten nights and say: 'Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan." (Bukhari, Muslim )
However if the servant is too weak or unable, then he should at least not let the last seven days pass him by, due to what is reported from 'Ibn 'Umar, who said: Allaah's Messenger SAW said: "Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven." (Bukhari, Muslim)
This explains his, SAW saying: "I see that your dreams are in agreement (that it is in the last seven) so he who wishes to seek it out then let him seek it in the last seven." (Bukhari)
It is also known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of the exact night upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the people argued, 'Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit, RA said: The Prophet SAW came out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were arguing and he said: "I came out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on the (twenty) ninth and (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth." (Bukhari)
Some ahaadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights, while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of the last ten, so the first are general and the second more particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the general. Other ahaadeeth state that it is in the last seven - and these are restricted by mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there is no confusion, all the ahaadeeth agree and are not contradictory.
In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first (the night before the twenty-first day), the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the odd nights of the last seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. And Allaah knows best.
* How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr?
One who misses this blessed night then he has missed much good for no one misses it except one from whom it is withheld. Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to Allaah should stand in Prayer during this night out of Eemaan and hoping for the great reward, since if he does this, Allaah will forgive his previous sins.
He SAW said: "Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven." (Bukhari)
It is recommended to supplicate a great deal in it, it is reported from 'Aa'ishah, RA that she said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee." (O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.) (at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
O brother! You know the importance of this night, so stand in Prayer in the last ten nights, in worship, detaching oneself from the women, ordering your family with this, and increasing in actions of obedience and worship in it.
From 'Aa'ishah, RA who said: "The Prophet SAW used to tighten his waist-wrapper (izaar) - (meaning detached himself from his wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten nights." (Bukhari, Muslim)
From 'Aa'ishah, RA: "Allaah's Messenger SAW used to exert himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other times." (Muslim)
* Its sign
[Many people believe in all sorts of superstitions about Lailatul-Qadr, and false beliefs from them are that the trees prostrate, and buildings sleep! And these things are clearly futile and baseless.] Allaah's Messenger SAW described the morning after Lailatul-Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which day it is. From Ubayy, RA who said: that he SAW said: "On the morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up." (Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tarmidhi, Ibn Majah)
From Abu Hurairah, RA who said: "We were discussing Lailatul-Qadr in the presence of Allaah's Messenger SAW, so he said: 'Which of you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and was like half a plate?'" (Muslim) [Qaadi 'Iyaad said: "It contains an indication that it was towards the end of the month - since the moon does not appear like that when it arises except towards the end of the month."]
From Ibn 'Abbaas, RA who said: Allaah's Messenger SAW said: "Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red." (at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah, al-Bazzaar with hasan isnaad)
Let us seek abundance rewards from our Creator by performing extra actions in these last few days of the noble month of Ramadhan as it could be our last...

Laila-tul Qadr: Night of Power, Night of Destiny or Night of Majesty

~~~~~~~~~~~~~LAYLAT UL-QADR

Peace Until Fajr~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In each of the daily prayer we offer, we solemnly declare to Allah, “Iyyakana’budu” (You alone do we worship). While the intelligent and committedbeliever realizes that his very lifestyle spells worship, he knows,remembering the words of our Prophet (pbuh) that “Du’aa’ (supplication) isworship” [Tirmidhi, Abu Daud] Allah, the Most Merciful, has encouraged thebelievers to take advantage of certain times during the year to make du’aa’.Such an occasion presents itself annually during Ramadan — especially on theLailatul Qadr, the Night of Power. On this night, the single most importantevent in human history unfolded as, after the Glorious Quran was preserved inthe Protected Tablet, Jibril descended with the blessed book to reveal it,upon Allah’s command, to His Messenger (pbuh). Accentuating its significance,Allah says “and how would you know (the value of the) Night of Qadr [97:2]
"Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to exert more (inworship) on the last ten than on other nights." [Muslim]
So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah toit “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3] This one nightsurpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of theoccurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the lastten, oddnumbered nights of Ramadan. The fact that the exact night is unknownreflects Allah’s will in keeping it hidden. Indeed, the Prophet (pbuh) wasprevented from telling us its precise time. One day, he came out to tell thecompanions the exact night. On the way he saw two men arguing with eachother. By the will of Allah, he(pbuh)forgot and subsequently remembered it.Afterwards the Prophet (pbuh) was instructed not to divulge this information.“Had I been allowed,” he (pbuh) remarked once, “I would have told you (ofits exact time).” [Masnad-e-Ahmad]

The Almighty in His wisdom kept this hidden from usfor many reasons (wa Allahu 'Alam). Perhaps He wants us to strive hard in ourworship during the last ten days of Ramadan so that we don’t become lazy,worshipping hard on just that one night and denying ourselves the benefit ofdoing the same on the other nights. “Had people not left their salah exceptfor that (one) night, I would have informed you (of its exact date).”[Al-Tabarani]

The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sinsand phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan.During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah for past sins, knowing that theProphet (pbuh) promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shallhave all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, he remembers the Prophet’s(pbuh) advice in differentsayings wherein he used words like “seek”, “pursue”, “search”, and “lookhard” for Lailatul Qadr (see tomorrows Post). Moreover, Allah and HisProphet (pbuh) provided us some signs of its occurrence.
Allah (swt) describes the night as “..peace until the rise of the morn.”[97:5] In various sayings, the Prophet (pbuh) described the night as serene,tranquil, and peaceful. The sun at sunrise would appear reddish and withoutits normal blazing and sharp rays. Ubayy (R) said : "On the morning of thenight of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basinuntil it raises." [Sahi Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (Rz.a) said : "We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger ofAllaah (S.a.w) and he said: "Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it islike half a bowl." [Muslim]
Ibn Abbaas (Rz.a) said that the Messenger of Allaah (S.a.w) said : "The night of Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is itcold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish." [Tabaranee, IbnKhuzaimah and Bazzaar]
The Prophet (pbuh) added that “the angel of earth on that night of Qadr willbe more numerous than all the pebbles of the earth.”
What should one do during the last ten days in pursuit of Lailatul Qadr? Thedevoted servant of Allah makes these nights alive with prayer, reading andreflecting on Quran. The long qiyaam prayer has been particularly recommendedduring the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated inmany hadeeths, such as the following:
Abu Tharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates: "We fasted with Allah's Messenger(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadaan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) atall until there were seven (nights of Ramadaan) left. Then he stood with us(that night - in prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did notpray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until halfof the night had passed. So we said, 'Allah'sMessenger! Wouldn't you pray with us the whole night?' He replied:
'Whoever stands in prayer with the imaam until he (the imaam) concludes theprayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…" [Recordedby Ibn AbiShaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah,at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi.Their isnad is authentic.]
Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked, 'Do you like for a man topray with the people or by himself during Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray withthe people' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam)with the imaam and to pray witr with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu`alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a man prays with the imaam until heconcludes,it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]
Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu`alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [andit is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward),will have all of his previous sins forgiven." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; theaddition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the reportof `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among thesincere worshippers during that blessed night.
He makes du’aa’ to Allah, penitently beseeching Him for His forgiveness. Heis inspired by the Prophet’s (pbuh) words “Our Lord, most Exalted, Most highcomes down to the lowest heaven during the last third of each night andannounces (reassuringly): Whoever makes du’aa’, I shall answer it. Whoeverasks (for something halal) I shall grant it; and whoever seeks forgiveness, Ishall forgive him.” [Bukhari] The believer, conscious of Allah and theirsins, will continue to beseech Allah, in and out of prayer, during hisprostration.
`A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which nightis Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:
"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee - O Allah! You areforgiving, and youlove forgiveness. So forgive me." [Recorded by Ahmad, IbnMajah, and at-Tirmithi]
Aa'isha (R) said: "When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (sallallahu`alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from hiswives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake(in prayer), and wake up his family." [Bukhaaree and Muslim] For a time, theonly concern will be cleansing oneself of the forgetfulness that this lifepropagates in one’s heart, the sins that accumulate, darkening the heart,making it insensitive to disobeying Allah. He begs Allah to keep him awayfrom misfortunes in this world, the punishment of the grave, and the tormentof Hell. He asks Allah to make him patient and steadfast in struggling tomaintain his Islam in this world and asks Him to overlook his shortcomings,periods of laziness and neglect. Sincere devotion on that nightwill render the believer forgtful of the time, until he is surprised by theAdhan of Fajr. After Fajr, as the sun creeps above the horizon, reddish andweak in its appearance, without any rays, the effort at night will have beenworthwhile. The believer rejoices, knowing that this was quite possiblyLailatul Qadr and “whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) onthe Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward for thatnight) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), heshall be forgiven for his past sins.” [Sahi Bukhari, Muslim]
It is narrated from Aa'isha (R) that she said: "I said: 'O Messenger ofAllaah, if I know what night is the Night of Qadr what should I say?." Hesaid: "Say: O Allaah you are pardoning and you love to pardon so pardon me. "[Ahmad,Ibn Majah,Tirmidhee]It is also the Night when all ordainments for the year are decreed. Allah (T)said, which means:
{By the manifest Book (the Quraan) that makes thing clear. We sent it (thisQuraan) down on a Blessed Night (i.e. the Night of Qadr) in the month ofRamadaan. Verily We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torments will reachthose who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness ofWordship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter (amran) ofordainment} [The Smoke 44:2-5]