The Book of Prayer (Friday)

Abu Huraira reported Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), as saying: We who are the last would be the first on the Day of Resurrection but they (other Ummahs) were given the Book before us and we were given after them, and this was the day that was prescribed for them but they disagreed on it. And Allah guided us to it. and they came after us with regard to it, the Jews observing the next day and the Christians the day following that.

It is narrated by Abu Huraira and Huraira that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: It was Friday from which Allah diverted those who were before us. For the Jews (the day set aside for prayer) was Sabt (Saturday), and for the Christians it was Sunday. And Allah turned towards us and guided us to Friday (as the day of prayer) for us. In fact, He (Allah) made Friday, Saturday and Sunday (as days of prayer). In this order would they (Jews and Christians) come after us on the Day of Resurrection. We are the last of (the Ummahs) among the people in this world and the first among the created to be judged on the Day of Resurrection. In one narration it is: ', to be judged among them".

Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: We were guided aright to Friday (as a day of prayer and meditation), but Allah diverted those who were before us from it. The rest of the hadith is the same.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: When it is Friday, the angels stand at every door of the mosque and record the people in the order of their arrival, and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit for delivering the sermon) they fold up their sheets (manuscripts of the Qur'an) and listen to the mention (of Allah). And he who comes early is like one who offers a she-camel as a sacrifice, the next like one who offers a cow, the next a ram, the next a hen, the next an egg.

This hadith has been narrated by Abu Huraira through another chain of transmitters.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: There is an angel on every door of the mosque recording him first who (comes) first (to the mosque for Friday prayer). And he [the Prophet] likened him to one who offers a camel as a sacrifice and then he went on in the descending order till he reached the point at which the minimum (sacrifice) is that of an egg. And when the Imam sits (on the pulpit) the sheets are folded and they (the angels) attend to the mention of Allah.

Abu-Huraira reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who took a bath and then came for Jumu'a prayer and then prayed what was fixed for him, then kept silence till the Imam finished the sermon, and then prayed along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven, and even of three days wore.

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who performed ablution well, then came to Friday prayer, listened (to the sermon), kept silence all (his sins) between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven with three days extra, and he who touched pebbles caused an interruption.

Jabir b. 'Abdullah reported: We used to observe (Jumu'a) prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and then we returned and gave rest to our camels used for carrying water. Hassan[ (one of the narrators) said: I asked Ja'far what time that was. He said.. It is the time when the sun passes the meridian.

Ja'far reported on the authority of his father: that he asked Jabir b. 'Abdullah when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) observed Jumu'a prayer. He said: He used to observe prayer, and we then went (back) to our camels and gave them rest. 'Abdullah made this addition in his narration: "Till the sun passed the meridian. and the camels used for carrying water (took rest)."

Sahl b. Said said: We did not have a siesta or lunch till after the Friday prayer. (Ibn Hajr added: ) "During the lifetime of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him)."

Iyas b. Salama b. al-Akwa' reported on the authority of his father: We used to observe the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) when the sun passed the meridian. and we then returned and tried to find out afternoon shadow (of the walls for protecting themselves from the heat of the sun).

Iyas b. Salama b. Akwa' reported on the authority of his father, saying: We used to observe the Friday prayer with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), and when we returned we did not find the shadow of the walls in which we could take protection (from the heat of the sun).

Ibn 'Umar said that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to deliver the sermon on Friday while standing. He would then sit and then stand (for the second sermon) as they (the Muslims) do nowadays.

Jabir b. Samura said: The Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) gave two sermons between which he sat, recited the Qur'an and exhorted the people.

Jabir b. Samura said that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) used to deliver the sermon while standing. He would then sit down and then stand up and address in a standing posture; and whoever informed you that he (the Holy Prophet) delivered the sermon while sitting told a lie. By Allah. I prayed with him more than two thousand times.

Jabir b. Abdullah reported that the Apostle (may peace be upon him) was delivering the sermon on Friday in a standing posture when a caravan from Syria arrived. The people flocked towards it till no one was left (with the Holy Prophet) but twelve persons, and it was on this occasion that this verse in regard to Jumu'a was revealed." And when they see merchandise or sport. they break away to it and leave thee standing."

This hadith has been narrated by Husain with the same chain of transmitters but with this alteration that he did not make mention of the standing position.

Jabir b. Abdullah reported: I was along with the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) on Friday when a caravan arrived. The people went to it, and none but twelve persons were left behind and I was one of them; and it was on this occasion that this verse was revealed:" And when they see merchandise or sport away to it, and leave thee standing" (lxii. 1 1). they break

Jabir b. Abdullah reported: While the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) was delivering (a sermon) on Friday, a caravan of merchandise came to Medina. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) rushed towards it till only twelve persons were left with him including Abu Bakr and 'Umar; and it was at this occasion that this verse was revealed." And when they see merchandise or sport, they break away to it."

Ka'b b. 'Ujra reported that he entered the mosque and saw Abd al-Rahman b. Umm Hakam delivering the sermon in a sitting posture. Upon this he said: Look at this wretched person; he delivers the sermon while sitting, whereas Allah said:" And when they see merchandise or sport, they break away to it and leave thee standing."

Abdullah b. Umar and Abu Huraira said that they heard Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) say on the planks of his pulpit: People must cease to neglect the Friday prayer or Allah will seal their hearts and then they will be among the negligent.

Jabir b. Samura reported: I used to pray with the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) and both his prayer and sermon were of moderate length.

Jabir b. Samura reported: I used to observe prayer with the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) and his prayer was of moderate length and his sermon too was of moderate length.

Jabir b. Abdullah said: When Allah's Messenger (may peace he upon him) delivered the sermon, his eyes became red, his voice rose. and his anger increased so that he was like one giving a warning against the enemy and saying:" The enemy has made a morning attack on you and in the evening too." He would also say:" The last Hour and I have been sent like these two." and he would join his forefinger and middle finger; and would further say:" The best of the speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the beet of the guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad. And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every innovation is error." He would further say:, I am more dear to a Muslim even than his self; and he who left behind property that is for his family. and he who dies under debt or leaves children (in helplessness). the responsibility (of paying his debt and bringing up his children) lies on me."

Ja'far b. Muhammad said on the authority of his father: I heard Jabir b. 'Abdullah saying that in the sermon of the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) he praised Allah, lauded Him (and subsequently said [other words] and raised his voice, and the rest of the hadith is the same).

Jabir reported that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him), while delivering the sermon' to the people, praised Allah, and lauded Him for what He deserves, and would then say: He whom Allah guides aright, there is none to mislead him, and he who is led astray, there is none to guide him (aright), and the best of the talk is embodied in the Book of Allah. And the rest of the hadith is the same.

Ibn 'Abbas reported: Dimad came to Mecca and he belonged to the tribe of Azd Shanu'a, and he used to protect the person who was under the influence of charm. He heard the foolish people of Mecca say that Muhammad (may peace be upon him) was under the spell. Upon this he said: If 1 were to come across this man, Allah might cure him at my hand. He met him and said: Muhammad, I can protect (one) who is under the influence of charm, and Allah cures one whom He so desires at my hand. Do you desire (this)? Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Praise is due to Allah, we praise Him, ask His help; and he whom Allah guides aright there is none to lead him astray, and he who is led astray there is none to guide him, and I bear testimony to the fact that there is no god but Allah, He is One, having no partner with Him, and that Muhammad is His Servant and Messenger. Now after this he (Dimad) said: Repeat these words of yours before me, and the messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) repeated these to him thrice; and he said I have heard the words of soothsayers and the words of magicians, and the words of poets, but I have never heard such words as yours, and they reach the depth (of the ocean of eloquence) ; bring forth your hand so that I should take oath of fealty to you on Islam. So he took an oath of allegiance to him. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: It (this allegiance of yours) is on behalf of your people too. He said: It is on behalf of my people too. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) sent an expedition and the flying column passed by his people. The leader of the flying column said to the detachment: Did you find anything from these people? One of the people said: I found a utensil for water. Upon this he (the commander) said: Return it, for he is one of the people of Dimad.

Abu Wa'il reported: 'Ammar delivered to us the sermon. It was short and eloquent. When he (, Ammir) descended (from the pulpit) we said to him: 0 Abd al-Yaqzn, you have delivered a short and eloquent sermon. Would that you had lengthened (the sermon). He said: I have heard the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) as saying: The lengthening of prayer by a man and the shortness of the sermon is the sign of his understanding (of faith). So lengthen the prayer and shorten the sermon, for there is charm (in precise) expression.

'Adi b. Hatim reported: that a person recited a sermon before the Apostle of Allah (may peace be upon him) thus: He who obeys Allah and His Apostle, he in fact follows the right path, and he who disobeys both of them, he goes astray. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: What a bad speaker you are; say: He who disobeys Allah and His Apostle. Ibn Numair added: He in fact went astray.