Ibn Hajar said: The Hadeeth clearly underlines the merits of this Ummah that exceed the merits of the previous nations, may Allah bless it.
Ibn Al-Qayyim said in the course of discussing Friday: … It is superior to all days of the week because of the obligatory and recommended acts of worship that are especially performed on it … In comparison to other days, Friday is like the month of Ramadan to other months. The hour in which supplication is answered on Friday is like Laylatul Al-Qadr (Night of Decree) in Ramadan. Therefore, whoever avails himself of Friday as due, will avail himself of his whole week; whoever avails himself of Ramadan as due, will avail himself of his whole year, and whoever avails himself of his Hajj as due, will avail himself of his whole life span. This is because Friday is the standard of the week, Ramadan is the standard of the year, and Hajj is the standard of the lifetime.
There are many Ahaadeeth (pl. of Hadeeth) that highlighted the virtues and distinct characteristics of Friday, including the following ones:
- It was narrated on the authority of Aws ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the Trumpet will be blown (to announce the Hour), and on it all creatures will swoon (sink into a fainting with horror), so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your prayers will be presented to me. They said: O Messenger of Allah, how will our prayers be presented to you when your body has decomposed? He said: Allah, The Exalted, has forbidden the earth from consuming the bodies of the Prophets. [Abu Daawood, Al-Albaani: authentic]
It was narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said: The best day the sun rises over is Friday; on it Adam was created; on it he was admitted to Paradise; and on it he was expelled from it. [Muslim] The author of Riyaadh Al-Afhaam fee Sharh Umdat Al-Ahkaam said: It seems that these specified events are not mentioned in the context of enumerating the virtues of Friday, because expelling Adam from Paradise and the occurrence of the Last Hour cannot be classified as virtues. Rather, it is a listing of significant events that happened or shall happen on that day (Friday) to urge the slave of Allah to be well-prepared for it by performing righteous deeds qualifying him to receive the mercy of Allah, The Exalted, or to be spared potential adversities. - The forgiveness of sins and misdeeds committed between the two Fridays for those who attended the Friday prayer, as evidenced by a Hadeeth cited by Al-Bukhari. It was narrated on the authority of Salmaan Al-Faarisi, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said: Any man who performs Ghusl on Friday, cleans himself as best as he can, oils his hair or applies whatever perfume available in his house, sets forth for the mosque, does not separate two people (to make a seat for himself), and offers the voluntary prayers he wishes to offer then listens attentively while the Imaam delivers the sermon, he will have all his sins between that time and the last Friday forgiven. [Muslim]
The version cited by Muslim reads: He who performed ablution well then came to the Friday prayer and listened attentively (to the Khutbah), his sins between that time and (the last) Friday would be forgiven with three days extra; and he who touched pebbles has committed Laghw (engaged in futile activity). - Friday includes an hour during which the supplications of a Muslim are definitely answered. Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: There is an hour on Friday during which if a Muslim is standing in prayer asking Allah for something good, Allah will give it to Him. [Muslim]
- Whoever attends the Friday prayer from its start (the first hour) earns abundant rewards, as evidenced by the Hadeeth narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said: The one who performs Ghusl (similar to the Ghusl) of Janaabah on Friday and then goes (to the mosque to perform the Friday prayer) is like one who offers a camel as a sacrifice, and the one who comes at the second hour is like one who offers a cow, and the one who comes at the third hour is like one who offers a horned ram, and the one who comes at the fourth hour is like one who offers a hen, and the one who comes at the fifth hour is like one who offers an egg. And when the Imaam comes out, the angels come and listen to the mention of Allah (the Khutbah). [Al-Bukhari]
Since Allah, The Exalted, singled out the Muslim Ummah with Friday, the Prophet used to venerate it and perform special acts of worship and good deeds on that day in particular. One of the special acts of worship prescribed for that day is invoking peace and blessings on the Messenger of Allah abundantly (more than on other days of the week). It was narrated on the authority of Aws ibn Aws, may Allah be pleased with him, that the Prophet said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday, so invoke more blessings on me that day for your prayers will be presented to me. [Abu Daawood, Al-Albaani: authentic] Moreover, it was narrated on the authority of Abu Ad-Dardaa, may Allah be pleased with him that the Prophet said: Invoke blessings upon me abundantly on Friday, for it is a witnessed day; the angels witness it. [Ibn Maajah and At-Tabaraani, Al-Albaani: Hasan]
Ibn Al-Qayyim said: The Messenger of Allah is the master of all people, and Friday is the master of days, and therefore invoking peace and blessings on him on that day in particular is superior to invoking them on him on any other day. Another wisdom is that all the good bestowed on his Ummah in the worldly life and what will be conferred upon them in the Hereafter they received it at his hands. Allah, The Exalted, combined for his Ummah all good in this worldly life and the Hereafter, and the greatest honors bestowed upon them take place on Friday. On Friday, they will be resurrected and sent to their homes and palaces in Paradise, and it is the day when the believers will see their Lord after they enter Paradise. Moreover, it is an Eed for them in this worldly life, a day on which Allah, The Exalted, grants them their requests, fulfills their needs, and does not turn down whoever invokes Him. All these virtues have been conferred upon them because of him and through his agency and the knowledge of which was conveyed to them by him, and therefore we should invoke peace and blessings upon him on Thursday night and throughout Friday to express our gratitude to him and fulfill some of his due rights over us. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {Indeed, Allah confers blessing upon the Prophet, and His angels [ask Him to do so]. O you who have believed, ask [Allah to confer] blessing upon him and ask [Allah to grant him] peace.} [Quran 33:56]
Allah, The Exalted, favored Friday with many virtues and Ibn Al-Qayyim brilliantly listed and enumerated them in his book Zaad Al-Maaad. Allah singled out the Muslim Ummah with this blessed day, and it is known that He favored some days over others, some months over others, some places over others, just as He favored some of His Prophets and Messengers over others. Allah, The Exalted, Says (what means): {Those messengers – some of them We caused to exceed others.} [Quran 2:253] Undoubtedly, there is a great wisdom behind it; He Says (what means): {He is not questioned about what He does, but they will be questioned.} [Quran 21:23]
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