Thursday, June 19, 2008

ETIQUETTES OF FRIDAY & The importance of Friday in Islam

Friday is an important day of the Believers. Many important events which become the turning points in the history of Islam had taken place on this auspicious day. Prophet Adam (peace be on him) was created on Friday, the verse declaring perfection of Islam was revealed on this day; and the Day of Resurrection shall occur on Friday. Hence this auspicious day should be observed with sanctity and solemnity, with maximum Divine service.

Allah, the Almighty affirms

" O ye 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 business ( and traffic): that is best for you if ye but knew!" (al-jumu'a 2-) (Read More)


The importance of Friday in Islam

Islam accords great importance to Friday. While all days of the week belong to Allah, Friday stands out for its significance.

1. Imam Moosa Kazim (a.s.) informs:

‘Allah has created the Prophets (a.s.) and the successors (a.s.) on Friday.’ (Behaarul Anwaar vol. 15 pg. 22 narrated from Basaaer al-Darajaat)

2. Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) narrates:

‘Friday has been named as Juma’h (جمعه) because on this day Allah assembled all the creatures and extracted a covenant from them concerning His Unity (Tauheed), the Prophethood of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.a.) and the guardianship of Ameerul Momeneen - Ali b. Abi Talib (a.s.).’ (Tahzeebul Ahkaam by Shaykh Tusi (r.a.) vol. 3 pg. 3)

3. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) informs: ‘Friday is the day of worship. So worship Allah as much as possible on that day.’(Behaarul Anwaar vol. 59 pg. 18, 19)

4. Imam Jafar Sadiq (a.s.) explains:

‘Friday is the day of Eid for the Muslims. It is greater in merit than Eidul Fitr and Eiduz Zoha. The greatest of Eid is Eid-e-Ghadeer which was on 18th Zilhajj and even that incident occurred on a Friday. Our Qaim (a.t.f.s.) will also reappear on Friday. Even the Day of Judgement will come to pass on Friday.’(Behaarul Anwaar vol. 59 pg. 26)

5. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) declared:‘Friday is the chief of all days.’ (Behaarul Anwaar vol. 40 pg. 47)

6. Imam Muhammad Baqir (a.s.) revealed:

‘The excellence of Fridays of the month of Ramazan over Fridays of other months is like the superiority of the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) over other prophets.’(Wasaailush Shia vol. 10 pg. 363)

7. Friday is associated with Hazrat Wali-e-Asr (a.t.f.s.). Sitr ibne Abi Dalf met Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) while he was in Mutawakkil Abbasi’s prison (may Allah curse him). Sitr inquired: ‘O my master, there is a tradition from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) the meaning of which is not clear for me.’ Imam asked him to narrate the tradition. Sitr recounted: ‘

‘Don’t disobey the days, else the days will disobey you.’

Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.) clarified,

‘Yes, in this tradition the days refer to us (Imams (a.s.)) until the time the heavens and the earth survive. Then Saturday refers to the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.), Sunday refers to Ameerul Momeneen (a.s.), Monday refers to Hasnain (a.s.), Tuesday refers to Imam Ali b. Husain (a.s.), Imam Muhammad b. Ali (a.s.) and Imam Jafar b. Muhammad (a.s.). Wednesday refers to Imam Moosa b. Jafar (a.s.), Imam Ali b. Moosa (a.s.), Imam Muhammad b. Ali (a.s.) and me (Imam Ali Naqi (a.s.)). Thursday refers to my father Imam Hasan Askari (a.s.) and Friday refers to my grandson (Imam Mahdi (a.t.f.s.)) who will be surrounded by a group of the truthful ones. This is the meaning of the days, therefore do not disobey them, else in the hereafter they shall disobey you.’

After mentioning the above tradition, the eminent scholar and narrator of supplications and Ziaraat - Sayyid Ibne Taoos (r.a.) has recorded the Ziaraat of the Imams (a.s.) for the days of the week. The most reliable of traditionalists - Shaikh Abbas-e-Qummi (r.a.) has also recorded the Ziaraat for various days in his distinguished compilation - Mafaateehul Jinaan.

Source: http://shiaonline.wordpress.com/2006/10/13/the-importance-of-friday-in-islam/

Other Links:
  1. http://www.answering-islam.org/Index/F/friday.html
  2. http://www.islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Worship/Prayers/article05.shtml

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