The Virtue of Friday

On the authority of Aws ibn Aws (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Indeed, among the best of your days is Friday. On it, Adam (peace be upon him) was created, and on it, he passed away. On it, the trumpet will be blown, and on it, the people will fall unconscious. So, send abundant prayers upon me on this day, for your prayers are presented to me.”
They (the companions) said: “O Messenger of Allah, how will our prayers be presented to you after you have decomposed?” He (peace be upon him) said:
“Indeed, Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the prophets.”
(Narrated by Abu Dawood, and authenticated by Ibn Al-Qayyim and Al-Albani in “Sahih Abu Dawood”).

And on the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On it, Adam was created, on it, he was admitted to Paradise, and on it, he was expelled from it.”
(Narrated by Muslim).

This hadith includes some of the reasons why Friday is given such high status.

Imam Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“Qadi Iyad said: It appears that these listed virtues are not the only reasons for Friday’s excellence because Adam’s expulsion from Paradise and the establishment of the Hour are not necessarily considered virtues. Rather, the hadith mentions significant events that occurred and will occur on Friday, so that people may prepare by performing righteous deeds, hoping for Allah’s mercy and protection from His wrath.”
Abu Bakr ibn Al-Arabi commented in his book “Al-Ahwadhi fi Sharh al-Tirmidhi”: “All these events are in fact virtues. Adam’s expulsion from Paradise was not a punishment, but a means to bring about the existence of humankind and to fulfill divine purposes, and he will return to it. Similarly, the occurrence of the Hour will hasten the reward for the prophets, the righteous, and the martyrs, showing their honor and high rank.”

And on the authority of Abu Lubabah ibn Abd al-Mundhir (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“Friday is the best of days and the greatest in the sight of Allah. It is even greater in Allah’s eyes than the day of sacrifice (Eid al-Adha) and the day of breaking the fast (Eid al-Fitr). On this day, five major events occurred: Allah created Adam on it, He sent Adam down to earth, He took Adam’s soul on it, there is an hour during which any supplication made by a servant is granted unless he asks for something sinful, and on it, the Hour (of Judgment) will be established. There is no angel near to Allah, nor heaven, earth, wind, mountain, or sea that does not fear Friday.”
(Narrated by Ibn Majah, and authenticated by Al-Albani in “Sahih al-Jami”).

Al-Sindi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“(They fear Friday) out of concern for the establishment of the Hour. This shows that all of creation is aware of the exact days, and they know that the Hour will occur on a Friday.”

The Virtues of Friday

Among the virtues of this blessed day:

• The Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu’ah), which is the best of prayers:
  Allah says:
  “O you who have believed, when the call is made for the prayer on Friday, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.” (Surah Al-Jumu’ah: 9).
  Muslim narrated (233) on the authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
  “The five daily prayers, and from one Friday to the next, are an expiation for whatever sins are committed between them, so long as major sins are avoided.”

• The Fajr prayer in congregation on Friday is the best prayer a Muslim can offer during the week.
  Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
  “The best prayer in the sight of Allah is the Fajr prayer on Friday in congregation.”
  (Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi in “Shu’ab al-Iman,” and authenticated by Al-Albani in “Sahih al-Jami”).

• Reciting Surah Al-Sajdah and Surah Al-Insan during Fajr prayer on Friday is recommended.
  Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to recite in the Fajr prayer on Friday:
  “Alif Lam Meem, the Revelation (Surah Al-Sajdah)” in the first rak’ah, and “Has there not come upon man a period of time (Surah Al-Insan)” in the second.
  (Narrated by Al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“It is said that the wisdom behind reciting these two Surahs is their mention of the creation of Adam and the conditions of the Day of Judgment, which occurred and will occur on Friday.”

• Whoever dies on a Friday or its night will be saved from the trial of the grave.
  Abdullah ibn Amr (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
  “There is no Muslim who dies on Friday or its night but that Allah protects him from the trial of the grave.”
  (Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi, and authenticated by Al-Albani in “Ahkam al-Janaiz”).