week 2 (Friday congregational prayer)

The Significance of Salatul-Jumu'ah

Salatul-Jumu'ah refers to the weekly congregational prayer that Muslims attend on Fridays. Every Friday, Muslims around the world gather in the Masaajid (mosques) at the Dhuhr time to perform Friday prayer.

Salatul-Jumu'ah, or simply the Jumu'ah, replaces the Dhuhr prayer and consists of a sermon (Khutbah) and two Rak'aat.

in the Qur'an, verse 9 of Surat Al-Jumu'ah (mentioned above), Allah (SWT) commands Muslims to stop their business activities on Fridays to come together to

Jumu'ah

collectively at Dhuhr time. As you have learned in the previous lesson, Jumu'ah prayer is one of the reasons that give Friday great virtue and significance, which makes this day one of the important days of worship and celebration for all Muslims.

Salatul-Jumu'ah is compulsory upon every adult male Muslim who is able to attend the Jumu'ah congregation.

Children from the age of seven and female Muslims are encouraged to attend.

Jumu'ah prayer can only be performed in congregation.

If someone missed the congregation, e.g. due to sickness, he must perform four Rak'aat like the normal Dhuhr prayer. As such, Salaatul-Jumu'ah cannot be performed individually.

It is from the Kindness and Mercy of Allah (SWT) that the following people are exempted from the obligation of Salaatul Jumu'ah:

1. Women of all ages;

2. Children;

3. The sick and elderly who are unable to walk to the Masjed;

4. Prisoners;

5. Travelers.

However, while they are exempted, these groups are not forbidden from attending Salaatul Jumu'ah.

The time of Jumu'ah prayer starts at the normal Dhuhr time. Therefore, the Azaan (the call to Jumu'ah prayer) is announced when Dhuhr time begins. Once the Jumu'ah Azaan is called, every Muslim

must give up all types of business and proceed to Jumu'ah prayer. Verse 9 of Surat Al-Jumu'ah, which is mentioned at the beginning of this lesson, clearly indicates that, once the Azaan for Jumu'ah is called, it becomes impermissible to engage in any type of trade:

Once the Azaan in the masjid is called, Jumu'ah commences and the Imam starts delivering the Khutbah. The Khutbah is a speech usually given in Arabic (sometimes with a translation of the meaning), and it consists of two parts separated by a short break, during which the imam sits down.

The process of Jumu'ah starts as the Imam (the person Who leads the prayer) ascends the minbar (pulpit) to deliver the Khutbah and waits for the Azaan to be announced.

The contents of the Khutbah mainly address

important issues and offer advices on how to please

Allah (SWT) and follow the Prophet (PBUH), glad tidings about the Jannah and warnings regarding the Hellfire.

The Khutbah starts with an introduction praising Allah (SWT) and invoking peace and blessings upon Prophet

Muhammad

(PBUH).

During the Khutbah, everyone must listen attentively to the Imam in order to benefit from the Imam's advice and gain the reward from Allah (SWT).

After completing the Khutbah, the Imam leads the congregation in performing the Jumu'ah Salah, which consists of two Rak'aat.

It is very important to note that the Jumu'ah Khutbah is considered as part of the prayer and it replaces two rak'aat of the Dhuhr prayer.

​Therefore, when the Imam is delivering the Khutbah,

everyone must act as if they are performing Salah. As such, one must not talk when the Imam is delivering the Khutbah.

"quiet" while the imam is delivering a sermon, you have indeed uttered a useless statement".

Furthermore, if you arrive late to the Masjid, you should sit where you find an empty spot and avoid walking between seated people in order to try to find a spot in the front.

In summary, we learn from this lesson that:

• Salatul-Jumul ah is compulsory upon every adult male Muslim who is able to attend

  Jumu'ah;

• When the Azaan for Jumu' ah is called, we must stop everything and proceed to the masjid;

• Jumu ah can only be performed in congregation;

• We must listen attentively to the Khutbah.

In the name of Allah, and prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. O Allah, I ask You from Your favour. O Allah, guard me from the accursed devil.

بِسْمِ اللهِ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلامُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ اللَّهُمَّ إِعصمنِي مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيمِ