Jumu`ah (Friday Congregational) Prayer
The Friday prayer (Arabic: صَلاة الجُمُعَة) is a congregational prayer with two rak’as, prayed in the Friday noon instead of the noon prayer, there are two sermons said by Imam of Friday prayer who also leads the prayer. Most of the Shi’a jurists consider praying the Friday prayer, in the time of the occultation of Imam al-Mahdi (a), as an disjunctive obligation.
In Qur’an 62, the importance of the Friday prayer is stated; also in hadith the Friday prayer is referred to as the “hajj of the poor” and leaving it causes the hypocrisy and difficulties in the one’s life.
Holding the Friday prayer is one of the signs of the unity of the Islamic society and it is necessary to be held congregational. Considering the political and social content of the sermons, the Friday prayer is a worship which has also a political and social importance.
Importance
In Qur’an 62, Allah clearly commands the faithful to take part in the Friday prayer:
“ O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of Allah, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know. ”
— The Qur’an, 62:9
For more information about the Friday Prayer and it’s laws please click here!
Please join us for our weekly Jumua’h prayer at Al-Mahdi Islamic Center
The sermons are designed to be inspiring, thought provoking, and relevant. We stress building community as well as increasing our knowledge and engaging in meaningful worship (‘ibadah). All are welcome. this is a great opportunity for anyone interested in Islam to learn more.
Every Friday, Time: Same as Dhuhr Prayer Time (please refer to the prayer time table)
Location: Al-Mahdi Islamic Center @ 404 Wingrove St. Nshville, TN 37203
How to Pray the Friday Prayer
First, two sermons are said by the Imam of Friday prayer. Then a prayer is said with two rak’as. The prayer has two recommended qunuts: one before the ruku’ of the first rak’a, and the second after the ruku’ of the second rak’a.
Sermons
Beside the conditions of the imam of the Congregational prayer, the Imam of Friday prayer must have other conditions, including:
- Having an audible, explicit speech,
- Bravery,
- Being familiar with the prudence of Islam. Also the Imam of Friday prayer must be chosen from the most knowledgeable and noble people.
Imam al-Rida (a) says: “the sermons are set, so that God had let the ruler of Muslims to advice people to the obedience of God, and warn them about the sins and inform them about their prudence and about the important news. There are two sermons, so that the first sermon is about the praise and sanctification of God, and the second sermon is about the needs, warnings, supplications, and instructions useful for the society.”
Time and Content
According to most of the Shi’a scholars, the sermons of the Friday prayer must be said after the noon. The sermons must contain the praise of God, sending peace upon the Prophet (s), advice to God wariness, and reciting a small sura of the Qur’an.
Hearing the Sermons
People must avoid any action that stops them from hearing the sermons.
Imam ‘Ali (a) says: “The participants of the Friday prayer are 3 groups:
- People who take place in the Friday prayer before Imam of Friday prayer and are quiet and hear the sermons, their participation is the kaffara (expiation) of the sins of ten days,
- People who participate in the Friday prayer and speak to each other, their benefit from the Friday prayer is just their talking and meeting each other.
- People who participate in the Friday prayer and when Imam of Friday prayer begins the sermons they begin to pray; these are also acting against the tradition, they are from the people that if they want something from God, if he wants gives it to them and if he doesn’t, he won’t.”
Prayer with Two Rak’as
After the two sermons, the Friday prayer with two rak’as is said. It is recommended to recite the Qur’an 62 in the first rak’a and Qur’an 63 in the second; or Qur’an 87 in the first, and Qur’an 88 in the second rak’a. Recitation of the suras aloud (jahr) is also recommended.
Two Qunuts
According to Shi’a jurists it is recommended to perform qunut in the first rak’a, before ruku’, and in the second rak’a after ruku’.