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In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful.

Grace of Fridays

Written by: Sk. Omar Kadrawi

Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa

18, Rabee-Athani 1431 h

1 April 2010

Slaves of Allah, let it be known to you that Friday is the day with the greatest status with Allah, and the highest honour, and the day with the greatest grace. Allah chose it from amongst other days, and gave it preference over other times. Allah has given Friday especially to the nation if Islam. The Jews and Christians have been misguided away from the day of Friday, and the Muslim nation was guided to it as a form of honour due to the grace and blessings of its prophet ppbu. The messenger ppbu said: {Allah misguided away off Friday those who were before us. The Jews had the Sabat (or Saturday), and the Christians had the Sunday. Allah brought us about and guided us to the day of Friday}.

For Friday is the master of all days. Like no other day, Allah gave it numerous benefits, and honoured it with great advantages. Allah delegated that His slaves are to take opportunity of the graces and do the obedience specially assigned to Fridays. The messenger ppbu said: {On the day of gathering, all days will be gathered together on their normal form, while the day of Friday will be present as a radiating flower, its people will gather round it like a pride on her wedding day presented to the one who honours her. They will walk in the light it shines, their colour is like snow in whiteness, and their fragrant shines like musk (Misk) and like being in mountains of camphor (kafoor). Their two masses of deeds (the good and bad deeds) will look at them but would not go near them in astonishment until they enter into paradise, No one shall join them at that point except those who make Azan (call for prayers) and who always keep count of their deeds and sins}

One of the graces of Friday is what the messenger ppbu described when he said: {The best day the sun has ever risen on is the day of Friday. Friday is the day Adam was created, and on Friday he was brought into paradise, and on Friday he was brought out of it, the time of resurrection will only happen on a Friday}.

The messenger ppbu also said: {Master of all days is the day of Friday, As far as Allah is concerned the greatest day is the day of Friday. With Allah Friday is greater than the two Adha and Fitr eed feast days. It has five characteristics: on this day Adam was created, and on this day Adam was descended from paradise to earth, and on this day Adam died, and on this day of Friday there is an hour during which any slave who asks Allah anything then Allah will answer and will give as long as what was asked is not forbidden (or harram). and the resurrection will take place on a Friday. All angels close to Allah, and all heavens, and earths, and all the winds and mountains and seas have fear and respect for the day of Friday}.

Imam Ahmed said about that hour during the day of Friday during which all prayers are answered and requests are accommodated, he said that this hour is most likely to be after Asr (mid-after noon prayer) prayer. The messenger ppbu was reported saying: {seek it during the last hour after Asr}.

One of the acts of worship which was associated with Friday is reciting the Al-Kahf Surat or chapter. The messenger ppbu said: {Whoever recites Al-Kahf chapter on a Friday then that will brighten up the darkness for him/her between the two Fridays}.

The greatest of what Allah has regulated on this blessed day and one of its highest status advantages is the Friday prayer. Friday prayer is one of the greatest prayers in status, and the most compulsory of them all, and the one which one receives the highest reward for. Friday prayer has been given extra more care by Islam. It is recommended to shower or wash before coming to prayer, and to get cleaned and put on the best of fragrant. And eliminating bad smells and bad breath (not to eat garlic etc.), and putting on the best of clothes and in full outfit, and to come to the mosque as early as possible, and to sit as close as possible to the Imam, and make effort to pay attention and put your heart into listening to the lessons told and the mentioning of Allah. The messenger ppbu said {whoever gets a wash on a Friday. A wash fitting for a prayer (Janabah wash) and then goes for the prayer in the first hour (meaning real early) would be as if he has made an offering or a sacrifice of a camel. And this that goes on the second hour would be as if he has offered a cow. And this that goes on the third hour would be as if he has offered a ram with horns. And this that goes on the fourth hour would be as if he has offered a chicken. And this that goes on the fifth hour would be as if he has offered an egg. And when the Imam comes out to deliver the khutba (talk) angels approach to listen}. The messenger ppbu said: {attend the Friday prayer, and get closer to the Imam. A man who stays away from the Imam will get further and further away; up to the point that he is delayed from entering paradise; that is if he ever does}. When an individual attends the mosque, then they are to get himself or herself busy with worship and obedience acts like prayers and uttering of Allah’s names and duaa and reciting of Koran up to the point when the Imam comes out to deliver the Khutba. When the Imam comes out then the individual is to pay attention and to listen attentively to the talk; learning from lessons mentioned or verses recited, or advice given. Then the individual ought to perform prayer in humility and tranquillity and meditation. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever does wodo (pre-prayer wash) and does it well, then goes for the Friday prayer, and listens attentively, then all his sins between him the previous Friday are forgiven and three more days}

Slaves of Allah; be warned against all that is forbidden or advised against which may cause missing out on Friday’s reward, or reduction in the reward like delayed arrival to the mosque until after the Imam comes out for the khutba.

Be warned against walking over across other people. The messenger was delivering a talk some Friday when he saw a man walking over across people; so he said to him: {set down for you have caused hurt and caused delay}. Someone who does that could qualify as one of those intended by what Allah says in this verse: {And those who harm the faithful men and women undeservedly bear (on themselves) a wrong and a clear sin} 33:58.

Be warned against causing interference and disturbance to other people doing prayer even if the interference is caused by reciting Koran with a sound which loud enough to be heard.

It is also a cause to lose reward and lack of understanding to get involved into a conversation or to get involved in messing with another object which distracts you from listening. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever gets distracted by messing with stones or pebbles then it is as if he has spoken during Khutba}. He also said: {if you say to your friend “Quite” on a Friday while the Imam is delivering the Khutba then you have spoken during Khutba}. And the messenger ppbu said: {who ever talks during the Khutba then it does not count as Friday for him}.

One of the greater sins is not to attend the Friday prayer without an acceptable reason. The messenger ppbu said: {Let some people give up the habit of not attending Friday prayers or else Allah shall have their hearts stamped then they shall become oblivious and unmindful}. And the messenger ppbu said: {whoever intentionally misses Friday three times without necessity then Allah will stamp his heart}.

Slaves of Allah, take opportunities of the greatness of rewards of the good deeds on Fridays. Fear Allah and get closer to Him with the deeds which get you closer to your creator. Allah says: {You who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off selling; that is best for you if you but knew. And when the Prayer is finished, then may you disperse through the land, and seek of the Bounty of Allah; and celebrate the Praises of Allah often (and without stint): that you may prosper} 62:9-10.

Remember that the best of the good deeds on the day and night of Friday is to say plentiful prayers and greetings of peace upon the messenger ppbu. The messenger ppbu said: {one of your best days is the day of Friday. Say plenty of prayers upon me. For your prayers will be shown to me}.

The messenger ppbu is the best of all humanity, and Friday is the master of all the days. Saying a prayer upon the best human on the best of all days has an advantage which it does not have on other days. All the grace and bounty that this nation of Islam received has received through him the messenger of Allah. Allah has given the nation of Islam the goodness of this life and the goodness of the life after through the messenger ppbu. It is on Friday that they shall be sent to their homes and palaces in Paradise. And Friday is the day which is called the “Extra reward day” once they are in paradise. And it is a feast day for them in this life. Friday is a day where Allah answers their prayers and does not refuse a request. All this is received because of him and through him the messenger of Allah ppbu. Do say a lot of prayers upon him on the day and the night of Friday.

Notes:

Adhan - The call to prayer.

Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.

Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)

Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.

Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.

Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

Fiqh - Religious law.

Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.

Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.

Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.

Iman: belief or faith

Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.

Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.

Siam or Soam- Fasting

Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

Surah - A chapter of the Koran.

Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

Zaboor - The Psalms

Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.

Faheem Bukhatwa, my email address is : faheemfb@gmail.com