There’s a whole bunch of stuff to do on Fridays that’s recommended in the Sunnah. But before you skim through the Sunnah of Jumuah, ever wondered why so much protocol is given to this day? Here’s why:

Abu Hurairah (R.A.) reported that the Prophet (S.A.W) said “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created; on it he was made to enter Paradise; on it he was expelled from it; and the [last] hour (the Day of Resurrection) will take place on no day other than Friday.” (Muslim)

Although there’s no such time for Ibadah that can be called ‘unimportant’, there are certain days, hours and months in the entire year that are ‘superior’ to the rest. Friday happens to on the V.I.T (very important time) list. *add that to your dictionary*

There’s even an entire Surah (Chapter) in the Quran that’s given the name ‘Jumuah’.

Furthermore, our Deen was completed and perfected by our Prophet (S.AW.) on no other day than Friday.

“This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen Islam as your religion.” (Quran 5:3)

But Friday is not just a ‘Special day’ to be celebrated. It has been assigned a very specific and vital role by Allah (S.W.T), in the strengthening of Islam.

It is the one day of the week when the Muslim Ummah leaves everything Dunya-related, honors a very short window of time and comes together to bond spiritually. Friday Khutbah, the congregational prayers, the time spent in masjid together— all these point toward one larger purpose- the purpose of bringing Muslim Ummah together every week.

If all the men in the Muslim Ummah met with each other every week in the spiritual environment of Masjids to strengthen each other spiritually and work for our Deen, Islam would be the Super-power of the world today.

But the sad reality is most of us don’t give the protocol to Friday that it truly deserves. So this article is dedicated to Fridays in the hopes that a checklist will be all we need to get back on Friday-track. (One can wish)

Below is a list of all the important Sunnahs for Jummah. It can be hard to remember everything until they’ve become a part of our weekly Friday routine.

I’ve put together a free printable checklist for you that you can use as a weekly reminder. It covers all the Sunnahs of Jumuah for 8 Fridays (that’s equal to 8 weeks). 8 weeks is plenty of time for anyone to get the Friday routine on autopilot.

You can download the checklist by clicking the button below (no opt-in required).

12 Sunnah of Jummah

1. Take a Bath (Ghusl)

Abu Sa’id Al-Khudr reports: I testify that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) said, ‘The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and also cleaning of teeth with Siwak and using perfume, if available’. [Sahih Bukhari]

2. Use Siwak to clean your teeth

3. Wear clean, presentable and preferably new clothes before the Friday prayer

“Put on your adornment on every occasion of prayer” (Surat al-A’raf (7): 31)

4. Apply perfume/ Oud (make sure it’s non-alcoholic)

5. Cut your nails

Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) reported that ‘Five are the demonstrations of fitra (nature/ instinct): 1) circumcision, 2) evacuating the hair underneath the navel, 3) trimming the mustache, 4) trimming the nails, and 5) culling the hair under the arms.’

6. Read Surah Al-Kahf

1. The first 10 Ayahs of Surah Al-Kahf
2. The last 10 Ayahs of Surah Al-Kahf
3. Both A and B
4. Ideally, the complete Surah Al-Kahf.

The Prophet (S.A.W) said: “Whoever reads Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, he will be illuminated with light between the two Fridays.” (Narrated by al-Haakim; Grade Saheeh by al-Albaani)

7. Send Durood and Blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) abundantly

It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws that the Prophet (S.A.W) said: “The best of your days is Friday. On that day Adam (A.S.) was created; on that day he died; on that day the Trumpet will be blown, and on that day all of the creation will swoon. So send a lot of blessings upon me, for your blessings will be shown to me.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, how will our blessings upon you be shown to you when you have turned to dust?” He said, “Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the Prophets, peace be upon them.” 

[Narrated by Abu Dawood, 1047; classed as Saheeh by Ibn al-Qayyim]

8. Make lots of duas between Asr and Maghreb

“There is a special hour on Friday, during which all prayers are accepted and answered by Allah, all Glory and Praise be to Him. This is part of the blessings that Allah has blessed this day with, over all the other days of the week. “On this day there is a time when no Muslim stands and prays, asking Allah for something, but Allah will grant him it” – and he gestured with his hands to indicate how short that time is. [Bukhari and Muslim]

Ibn Al-Qayyim (Rahim Ullah) said that this golden hour is to be found in the time after the Asr prayer until the Maghreb Adhaan (end of day): “Friday has twelve hours (or part of it). There is one hour during which if a Muslim asks Allah anything, Allah will give it to him, so find it during the last hour after Asr.” [Abu Dawud & An-Nasai]

The following Sunnahs of Jummah are applicable to men

Performing the Jumuah prayer at the masjid is among the most important Sunnahs of our Prophet (S.A.W). Going to the masjid to pray was a norm for the Prophet (S.A.W.) and his followers at the time. And since Friday prayer is superior than the rest, it’s silly to even question the act of going to the masjid for Jumuah.

The Prophet (S.A.W) said: “Prayer offered in a group is twenty-five times better than prayer offered at home or in the marketplace. If any one of you does wudhu and does it well, then comes to the mosque for no other purpose than to pray, then he does not take a single step but Allah raises him in status one degree thereby and removes one sin from him, until he enters the mosque. Then he is in a state of prayer so long as he is waiting for the prayer, and the angels send blessings upon him so long as he remains in the spot where he prayed, saying ‘O Allah, forgive him, O Allah, have mercy on him,’ so long as he does not pass wind.” [Bukhari and Muslim].

9. Go to the Masjid as early as you can

Allah says in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning): “O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salah (prayer) on Friday (Jumuah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allah [Jumuah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salah (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!” [al-Jumu’ah 62:9]

Punctuality is not over-rated. Check out this Hadith:

Abu Hurairah reported that Allah’s Messenger (S.A.W) said,’ When it is Jumuah, the Angels stand at the gate of the masjid and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the masjid in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the masjid in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice); the one coming next is like one offering a cow, and then a ram; and then a chicken; and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumu’ah sermon) they (i.e. Angels) fold their papers and listen to the sermon.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

10. Walk to the Masjid instead of taking the car

Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported that Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said:

He who purifies (performs Wudhu) himself in his house and then walks to one of the houses of Allah (masjid) for performing an obligatory Salah, one step of his will wipe out his sins and another step will elevate his rank (in Jannah).” (Muslim)

11. Don’t separate two people to make a space for yourself. Sit in an empty space.

12. Listen to the Khutbah of Jummah (Friday sermon) attentively

This hadith clearly talks about the importance of listening to the Friday sermon:

“Whoever says to his friend while Imam is delivering Khutbah on Friday “keep quiet” has also commit an absurdity.” (Muslim and Bukhari)

Winding up, here’s a hadith that covers all the essential sunnahs of Jumuah:

Prophet (S.A.W) said “if a man takes a bath on Friday, cleans himself as much as he can, oils his hair, applies perfume available in his house, sets forth for the mosque, does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself). Performs as many prayers as written (by Allah) for him, remains silent when the Imam speaks, for his sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven” [Al-Bukhari].

And Allah (S.W.T) knows best!Don’t forget to download your free checklist (no OPT-IN required)—The Friday Special Checklist!