Virtues of Jumu’ah (Friday) Prayer

MANY ahaadeeth (sayings) have been narrated from the Prophet (SAW) which explain the virtues of Jumu’ah prayer. For example:  Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The five daily prayers, and from one Jumu’ah to the next, are an expiation for whatever sins come in between, so long as one does not commit any major sin.” 

  It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does ghusl then comes to Jumu’ah, and prays as much as Allaah decrees for him, then listens attentively until the khutbah is over, then prays with him (the imam), will be forgiven for (his sins) between that and the next Jumu’ah and three more days.”   

  Al-Bukhaari and Muslim narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allaah said: “Whoever does ghusl (ritual birth) on Friday like ghusl for janaabah, then goes to the prayer (in the first hour, i.e., early), it is as if he sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow; whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a horned ram; whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a hen; and whoever goes in the fifth hour it is as if he offered an egg. When the imam comes out, the angels come to listen to the khutbah.” 

  If a person walks to Jumu’ah prayer, for every step he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.  It was narrated from Aws ibn Aws al-Thaqafi that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does ghusl on Friday and causes (his wife) to do ghusl, and sets out early, and comes close to the imam and listens and keeps quiet, for every step he takes he will have the reward of fasting and praying qiyaam for one year.”