Friday congregational prayer (salat al-jum\u2018ah)<\/strong>: So far, daily recommended {mustahabb} and nawafil prayers, post-prayer devotional acts {ta\u2018qibat}, prayer of a traveler {musafir}, and compensatory {qadha} prayer have been discussed. These two types of prayer are the same daily obligatory prayer under particular circumstances (in travel, or after its appointed time). There are other prayers, however, some of which are obligatory while others are emphatically recommended {mutahabb mu\u2019akkad}. In order to complete the discussion about prayer, we shall also deal with them in brief.<\/p>\n Friday congregational prayer {salat al-jum\u2018ah}<\/strong> \u201cO ye who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry up toward the remembrance of Allah, and leave all business.\u201d[1][594]<\/p>\n Manner of offering Friday congregational prayer<\/strong> Importance of Friday congregational prayer<\/strong> 1. Cultivating the spirit of fraternity and brotherhood<\/strong> 2. Formation of the Islamic forces<\/strong> 3. Intellectual and political development of the Muslims<\/strong> 4. Enhancing the spirit of collectivity<\/strong> 5. The center for mobilization<\/strong> Life conduct {sirah} of the holy saints {awliya\u2019}<\/strong>
\nIn the weekly social ceremony of Muslims, Friday congregational prayer {salat al-jum\u2018ah} occupies a special status. It is not only an act of worship, but also a manifestation of Muslim power and the grandeur of Islam. It increases the awareness of followers of the Qur\u2019an and is considered a \u201creligio-political prayer\u201d.
\nRegarding Friday congregational prayer, the Holy Qur\u2019an says:
\n\u064a\u064e\u0627 \u0623\u064e\u064a\u0651\u064f\u0647\u064e\u0627 \u0671\u0644\u0651\u064e\u0630\u0650\u064a\u0646\u064e \u0622\u0645\u064e\u0646\u064f\u0648\u0627\u0652 \u0625\u0650\u0630\u064e\u0627 \u0646\u064f\u0648\u062f\u0650\u064a\u064e \u0644\u0650\u0644\u0635\u0651\u064e\u0644\u0648\u0670\u0629\u0650 \u0645\u0650\u0646\u0652 \u064a\u064e\u0648\u0645\u0650 \u0671\u0644\u0652\u062c\u064f\u0645\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0629\u0650 \u0641\u064e\u0627\u0633\u0652\u0639\u064e\u0648\u0627\u0652 \u0625\u0650\u0644\u0649\u0670 \u0630\u0650\u0643\u0652\u0631\u0650 \u0627\u0644\u0644\u0647\u0650 \u0648\u064e \u0630\u064e\u0631\u064f\u0648\u0627\u0652 \u0671\u0644\u0652\u0628\u064e\u064a\u0639\u064e<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nDuring the period of occultation {\u2018asr al-ghaybah} of Imam al-Mahdi (\u2018a), Friday congregational prayer is wajib takhyiri and one has the option to offer the Friday congregational prayer or the noon {zuhr} prayer.
\nFriday congregational prayer consists of two rak\u2018ahs and it must be performed in congregation.
\nBefore the prayer, there are two obligatory sermons {khutbayn} in which the khatib {the one delivering the sermons} shares socio-political issues with the congregation apart from inviting them to observe piety.
\nIts appointed time is from the beginning of zuhr up to about an hour after the recital of its adhan and later than that, it is no longer permissible.
\nThe number of persons offering Friday congregational prayer should be at least five, including the imam.
\nThe distance between the two places where Friday congregational prayers are offered should not be less than one farsakh (approximately 3 miles).
\nIt is obligatory {wajib} to listen to the sermons of the Friday congregational prayer. Non-participation in the Friday congregational prayer for no reason at all is a sign of hypocrisy {nifaq}.
\nIt is better for the prayer leader in the first rak\u2018ah to recite Surah al-Jum\u2018ah after Surah al-Hamd and Surah al-Munafiqun in the second rak\u2018ah.
\nThe Messenger of Allah (S) has said: \u201cThrough the Surah al-Jum\u2018ah, God has honored the believers.\u201d Thus, as glad tidings for them, the Prophet (S) has made it his tradition {sunnah} to recite Surah al-Jum\u2018ah, and as a reproach to hypocrites, he has regarded it necessary to recite Surah al-Munafiqun.[1][595]<\/p>\n
\nThere are many hadiths which have been narrated in this regard and it is impossible to deal with them here.[1][596]
\nThe Messenger of Allah (S) has regarded Friday congregational prayer as the Hajj pilgrimage of the poor[1][597] and as a means of forgiveness of sins.
\nFriday congregational prayer demonstrates the power of Muslims and is a meeting place of the faithful worshippers.
\nAt the beginning of migration {hijrah}, the Apostle of Allah (S) held the first Friday congregational prayer for the people of Medina laying the foundation of this splendid and constructive gathering.
\nThis prayer has political and administrative dimensions. The khatib and imam of Friday congregational prayer is either the ruler of Muslims or appointed by the leader to assume the post. There are many constructive educational and social blessings and effects this \u2018political worship\u2019. Some of them are the following:<\/p>\n
\nAll people from different places gather in a single prayer ground and sit together, without distinction of race and color. Whatever is present in a congregational prayer is far greater and stronger in the Friday congregational prayer\u2014this weekly gathering of Muslims.<\/p>\n
\nThis act of worship organizes the Muslims around the axis of worship and prayer, and strikes fear in the heart of the enemy as well as thwarts the plots and intrigues of the discord-mongers.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to the exigency of subject matters, the information given during Friday prayer sermons makes the people aware of political issues concerning their country and the world. By familiarizing them with social responsibilities, they tend to have greater participation in the society scene.<\/p>\n
\nFriday congregational prayer gathers the scattered drops of human beings into a single ocean, and through mutual communication and acquaintance, everybody acquires the spirit of collectivity, and thus, dissension and individualism gradually vanish.<\/p>\n
\nThe Friday congregational prayer stronghold is the best place to invite people and mobilize them for jihad, defence, solving social problems, and rendering assistance to others. This glorious power of the masses that is formed in the Friday congregational prayer has always been the focus of attention. During the early days of Islam, the Messenger of Allah (S) and the Commander of the Faithful (\u2018a) used to mobilize the people and dispatch them to the arenas of jihad.[1][598]<\/p>\n
\nThe conduct {sirah} of the Messenger of Allah (S) and the infallible Imams (\u2018a) in relation to Friday congregational prayer bespeaks of its importance and the need to increase efforts for this obligation.
\nIt is recorded in the hadith that \u2018Ali (\u2018a) said: \u201cDuring Thursday, do not take medicine that weakens the body.\u201d He was asked for the reason. He said: \u201cSo that it does not hinder you from attending the Friday congregational prayer.\u201d[1][599]
\nImam as-Sadiq (\u2018a) says: \u201cThe companions of the Prophet used to make preparation for Friday on Thursday because on Friday the time is limited (because of their works).\u201d[1][600]
\nThe Commander of the Faithful (\u2018a) used to free those who were imprisoned on account of debt, accusation, and the like so that they could attend the Friday congregational prayer while their guardians used to guarantee that they would return to the prison cell. The Imam (\u2018a) also used to allow the imprisoned transgressors {fasiqun}, under guard, to participate in the congregational prayer.[1][601]
\nAs a token of commemorating Friday congregational prayer and glorifying these rites, \u2018Ali (\u2018a) used to attend the congregational prayer barefooted, holding his shoes with his left hand saying, \u201cThis prayer has a special divine status.\u201d He used to do so out of humility in the presence of the Lord.[1][602]
\nKeeping this in view, the importance of this obligatory act becomes clear, and any committed Muslim must not be heedless of attending this politico-religious assembly.
\nThe Imam of the ummah has said: \u201cThe Friday congregational prayer which is a demonstration of the sociopolitical power of Islam must be made more splendid and substantial. The great and dear nation should keep this Islamic fortress as majestic and splendid as possible so that by its blessing, plots of traitors and intrigues of corruptors would be thwarted.\u201d<\/p>\n