For many folks, Friday is a day to look forward to. After all, it marks the end of the typical work week and serves as kick off to the weekend. However, from the Islamic perspective, there’s another reason to anticipate Friday’s arrival – the jummah prayer and congregational gathering in worship. With that in mind, setting the tone for jummah can help you maximize its spiritual benefits and bring a sense of peace and purpose to your day. For mothers, this task may be a tad bit difficult, but definitely not impossible, especially when we take time to focus on some intentional habits meant to integrate spirituality into this most special day.
Why is Friday important?
Fortunately, most Muslim children understand Friday is a significant day. However, sometimes the significance of this blessed day sometimes isn’t fully realized. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created and on it he was made to enter paradise.”
Keeping this sentiment in mind, it becomes imperative to give Friday, this blessed day, the honor its due in whatever way we can, even as busy mothers. Below are five ways to reap the benefits of this day and cultivate an environment of spiritual sanctity in our home for ourselves and our children.
- Recite Surah Al-Kahf.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged us to read Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays for its blessings and protection from trials. He said, “Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on the night of Jumu’ah, will have a light that will stretch between him and the Ka’bah.” (Sunan al-Darimi, 3407). He (peace be upon him) also said, “Whoever reads Surat al-Kahf on the day of jummah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the next.” (al-Bayhaqi, 3:249). Finally, Mohammad (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever memorizes ten verses from the beginning of Surah al-Kahf is protected from the trial of al-Dajjāl.”
Aim to recite it in the morning, perhaps after fajr while children are sleeping if they are too young to sit and read with you. Or play the ayah on a YouTube video, which allows you to read and recite along as you complete your chores.
- Make dhikr, salawat, and istighfar.
Another way to increase remembrance of Allah is through dhikr, reciting salawat (blessings and salutations) on the prophet, and making repentance. This cultivates a stronger sense of iman and facilitates a higher level of spirituality, preparing us for jummah. Do this while folding laundry, vacuuming or cooking; it only requires our tongue and intention! Even better, consider reciting it so your children can model your behavior, creating an environment of loving Islam and encouraging independent spiritual growth rather than forcing religion down their throat.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said “Among the best of your days is Friday. So, pray to Allah frequently on it to bless me [sending salawat], for such supplications of you will be presented to me.” (Abu Dawud) It is reported in Sahih Muslim he (peace be upon him) said, ‘Increase your supplications for me on the day and night of Friday. Whoever blesses me once, Allah will bless him ten times.’ (al-Sunan al-Kubrá 5854). In the eyes of Allah, the reward of our good deeds is always multiplied.
Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “The five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins.” (Sahih Muslim). We all sin, and jummah gives us the opportunity to be forgiven, so we should increase our istighfar, turn to Allah in sincere repentance, and increase our dhikr. This increases our patience in daily life, easing us through tantrums, messy rooms, and endless chores.
- Perform ghusl and wear your best clothes.
Next we discuss physical preparation. We must perform ghusl, wear fresh, clean clothes, and try to look our best. Wear your favorite dress, apply perfume and maybe even makeup at home. Show your children Friday is a day we honor so let them get clean and dressed up, too. This aligns with the sunnah and enhances our sense of renewal. Let this be an established ritual, even if you aren’t going to the masjid. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “If a man takes 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, his sins between that Friday and the following Friday will be forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari)
Once our spiritual mindset is cultivated and our physical preparation is facilitated, we become holistically engaged in worship and can reap the rewards of this auspicious day.
- Make dua.
Though dua is a powerful act of worship no matter when offered, there are specific times when duas are more mustajab, or likely to be answered, including on Friday. Although scholars differ in its exact timing, this could be when the imam sits in between the khutbah or the time right before maghrib. We should use this as an opportunity to make sincere dua as much as we can on this day and aim to grow closer to Allah.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said; “There is a time on it (Friday) at which Allah grants the request of any Muslim servant who, at this time, happens to be asking Allah for something while standing in prayer” and the Prophet (peace be upon him) pointed with his hand to indicate that this period of time is very short. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Because the blessed time is short, we should strive to make dua at all times. Set aside specific times, maybe when the children are asleep, to engage in extra acts of ibadah. It’s okay if the dishes are loaded in later than normal or laundry is folded a day late because this day won’t come again. Take advantage of the small moments you have for yourself by worshiping and drawing closer to Allah.
- Arrive early and disconnect from distractions.
Finally, if you can, arrive early to the masjid to enmesh yourself in the environment and reap the spiritual benefits. Once the khutba begins, it is essential to make sure not to engage in any conversation or behavior that distracts you from paying attention. The khutba itself acts for the two units of prayers that we don’t pray for dhuhr, so act accordingly with salah etiquette. You can also engage in extra prayers to fully immerse yourself in the jummah atmosphere.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Any person who takes a bath on Friday like the bath of janaba and then goes for the prayer (in the first hour i.e. early), it is as if he had sacrificed a camel (in Allah’s cause); and whoever goes in the second hour it is as if he had sacrificed a cow; and whoever goes in the third hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a horned ram; and if one goes in the fourth hour, then it is as if he had sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour then it is as if he had offered an egg. When the Imam comes out (i.e. starts delivering the khutba), the angels present themselves to listen to the khutba.” (Sahih Bukhari)
We want to be like those who sacrificed a camel for the sake of Allah. May Allah give us the ability to enact these five simple ways to prepare ourselves and our children for jummah and reap the highest amount of benefit from this day, inshallah. May Allah reward us for all our continued efforts and give us the istiqamah, or consistency, to stay steadfast on developing and maintaining good spiritual habits that bring us closer to Him. Ameen.
