Section V: Proper Mannerisms on Friday and for the Prayer
Firstly: Reciting Surah al-Sajdah and Surah al-Insan during the Fajr prayer on Friday
It is sunnah to recite Surah al-Sajdah in the first unit of the fajr prayer on Friday and Surah al-Insan in the second. [585] Ibn al-Qayyim says: “Many people who know nothing think that the goal is to set this prayer apart with an extra prostration, and they call it the prostration of Friday. When one of them doesn’t recite this surah, he likes to read another surah that has a verse of prostration. For this reason, a particular imam disliked constantly reciting this surah in the fajr prayer on Friday such that he might dispel the delusions of the ignorant. I heard Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah say: ‘The Prophet ﷺ would only recite these two surahs during the fajr prayer on Friday because they contain what was and will be on this day. They cover the creation of Adam, the Hereafter, and the congregation (of the dead), which will be on a Friday. By reciting them on this day, they act as a reminder to the Ummah about what happened on this day and what will happen. The prostration followed, not being a goal such that one offering the prayer tries to recite a verse of prostration wherever it is found. This is one of the mertis of Friday.’” (Zad al-Ma`ad, 1/363) This is the position of the Shafi`i and Hanbali schools and a group of the Salaf. It is the position of choice of Ibn Daqeeq al-`Id, Ibn Taymiyyah, and Ibn Baz.
Secondly: Reciting Surah al-Kahf on Friday
The majority – Hanafis, Shafi`is, and Hanbalis – hold that it is mustahabb to recite Surah al-Kahf on Friday. This is the position of choice of Ibn al-Hajj from among the Malikis, Ibn Baz, and Ibn `Uthaymin. [586] Ibn `Uthaymin says: “Reciting Surah al-Kahf on Friday is a meritorious deed, and there is virtue in doing so. There is no difference whether one reads it from the mushaf or recites it from memory. The day from a Sharia perspective is from the break of dawn until sunset. Thus, if one recites it after the Friday prayer, he gets the reward for it.” (Majmu` Fatawa wa Rasa’il al-`Uthaymin, 16/143)
Thirdly: Supplicating on Friday
It is mustahabb to supplicate much on Friday. Consensus on this was related by al-Nawawi.
Fourthly: Time when prayers are answered
Scholars hold many positions regarding the exact time when prayers are accepted on Friday. [587] It is authentically established that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that there is a time on Friday when prayers are accepted, but scholars have differed on when it is specifically. The strongest of these are two positions:
The first position: It is from the time the imam sits on the minbar until the prayer is over. This is the position of choice of Ibn al-`Arabi, al-Bayhaqi, al-Qurtubi, al-Nawawi, Ibn Rajab, and Ibn `Abideen.
The second position: It is after `asr. This is the position of most of the Salaf. It is the position of choice of Imam Ahmad, Ibn `Abd al-Barr, and many imams. Ibn al-Qayyim and al-Hijjawi give weight to this position.
Fifthly: The Friday Ghusl
- Ruling of the Friday ghusl:
It is sunnah to perform ghusl on Friday by agreement of the four schools of jurisprudence. It is also the position of the overwhelming majority of scholars.
- Intending both ghusl from janabah and ghusl for the Friday prayer:
A single ghusl suffices for both janabah and the Friday prayer if one intends both. This is by agreement of the four schools of jurisprudence. Intending ghusl from janabah alone
The ghusl from janabah suffices one from having to perform the ghusl for the Friday prayer even if one does not intend the latter. This is the position of the Hanafi school, one position among Shafi`is, the position of Ashhab from among the Malikis and some of the Salaf. It is the position of choice of Ibn Baz and Ibn `Uthaymin.
- Intending the Friday ghusl alone:
The Friday ghusl does not suffice one from having to perform ghusl from janabah if one does not intend such. This is the position of the Maliki school, the sound position of the Shafi`i school, and one position among Hanbalis. It is the position of choice of Ibn `Uthaymin.
- Ruling of the Friday ghusl for one who cannot find water, or whom water harms:
If one cannot find water or is harmed by it, he does not perform tayammum in lieu of the ghusl. This is the position of the Hanafi and Maliki schools and one position among Shafi`is and Hanbalis. It is the position of choice of al-Ghazali and Ibn `Uthaymin.
- When to perform the Friday ghusl:
The time for performing the Friday ghusl starts with the appearance of dawn on Friday. It is optimally performed immediately before going to the Friday prayer. This is the position of the majority: the Malikis, Shafi`is, Hanbalis, and one position among Hanafis.
- Ruling of performing ghusl after the Friday prayer:
The sunnah merit of the Friday ghusl is not achieved except before the prayer. Thus, if one performs the ghusl after the prayer, he would not have performed the required ghusl. This is by agreement of the four schools of jurisprudence.
Sixthly: Perfume and Siwak
It is mustahabb that one perfume oneself, perform siwak, adorn oneself, and wear one’s best clothing when attending the Friday prayer. Consensus on this was related by Ibn `Abd al-Barr, Ibn Rushd, and Ibn Qudamah.
Seventhly: Arriving Early for the Friday Prayer
It is mustahabb to arrive early, starting from the early part of the day. This is the position of the majority: the Hanafis, Shafi`is, Hanbalis, and Ibn Habeeb of the Maliki school. [588] Arriving early for Hanafis starts with sunrise. For Shafi`is and Hanbalis, it starts with the break of dawn. It is the position of choice of Ibn Hazm.
Eighthly: Walking to the Friday Prayer
It is mustahabb that one walk to the Friday prayer by agreement of the four schools of jurisprudence.
Ninthly: Buying and Selling During the Friday Prayer
The ruling regarding buying and selling after the second call to the Friday prayer
It is haram to buy and sell after the call to the Friday prayer. [589] Ibn Qudamah says: “The call that was at the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was the call immediately after the imam had sat down on the minbar. Thus, the ruling applies to it, not something else.” (Al-Mughni, 2/220) Consensus on this was related by Ishaq ibn Rahawayh, Ibn Hazm, Ibn Rushd, and al-Tahtawi.
- Are sales binding after the second call to the Friday prayer?
Scholars are of two positions regarding whether sales performed after the second call to prayer on Friday are binding:
The first position: The sale is binding even though it is haram. This is the position of the Hanafi and Shafi`i schools, some Malikis, and has been ascribed to the generality of scholars.
The second position: The sale is haram and non-binding. This the well-known position of the Maliki school and the position of the Hanbali school. It is also the position of Dawud according to one narration from him. It is the position of choice of Ibn al-Mundhir and Ibn Hazm. It is also the position of Ibn `Uthaymin.
- Those prohibited from buying and selling after the second call to prayer on Friday:
The prohibition of buying and selling after the call to prayer is specific to those addressed by the Friday prayer. As for others, such as women, children, and travellers, this is not prohibited for them. This is by agreement of the four schools of jurisprudence.
feqhia
