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Friday Talks |
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Friday Talks |
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144 |
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The Grace of the day of Friday and its rulings
Written by: Sk. Omar Kadrawi
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
14 Thol-Qada 1431h
22 October 2010
Allah says: {You who have faith, if the prayer is called for on the day of Friday then seek out to remember Allah and refrain from selling that is better for you if you just knew. And when the prayer is over then disperse into the land and seek out from the grace of Allah and remember Allah a lot so you may do well} 629-10. Yes, Islam has given special attention to the day of Friday. Verses in the Koran address the faithful when they talk about Friday. Allah honoured His slaves by addressing them in particular about Friday. The messenger ppbu said: {We are the later nation, and yet we will be the first on the day of resurrection. Despite the people of the book were given the book before us, yet they disagreed over this day. Allah guided us to the day of Friday. Tomorrow is for the Jews and for the day after is for the Christians}.
Remember that Allah has given more honour to some of His creations over others. This is done at His choosing and as an honour and respect. Some of His creations that He honoured are some selected days over others. Some days He made them to be rich with His graces and mercies. The day of Friday is one of the highest honoured days with Allah. For Allah has chose the day of Friday over all other days and other times. The messenger ppbu said: {The best day in which the sun has even risen is the day of Friday. On Friday Allah created Adam, and on a Friday Adam was descended down from paradise, and on a Friday Allah accepted Adam’s repentance, and on Friday shall be the day of resurrection. And on every Friday there is an hour during which if a Muslim happens to be standing doing a prayer and asks Allah anything then Allah shall grant him or her what they ask}. Friday is the master of all days. Allah has characterised it with special great characteristics and honoured it with fantastic advantages. Allah encouraged His slaves to take advantage of such opportunities of the graces on this day with some special obedience to be done on this day. The messenger ppbu said: {Days shall be summoned in their normal form, while Friday shall be summoned as a glowing radiating rose, with its people surrounding it just like a pride in a wedding procession brought to her noble groom. Its glow lights up the path, they are as white as snow, and their fragrance radiates like Musk, they roam in mountains of Camphor perfume. The two loads of deeds look at them non stop in astonishment until they enter paradise. No one joins them except those who do the calls for prayers (Azan) and who are God fearing}.
The messenger ppbu also said: {Friday is the master of all days, and the greatest with Allah. It is greater than the day of sacrifice Eid, and greater than the Fitr-Eid day after Ramadan. Five things happened on a Friday: Allah created Adam, and Allah brought Adam down to Earth, and Allah received Adam’s soul when Adam died, and Friday has an hour during which if a slave asks Allah anything Allah shall give as long as it is not a forbidden request. And on Friday the day of resurrection shall take place, and all angels, and all heavens and earth and wind and mountain and ocean or sea they all fear the day of Friday}. Imam Ahmed thought that the hour of the on a Friday of a guaranteed answer to any prayer is to be just after Asr (late afternoon) prayer. The messenger ppbu said once {.. seek it in the last hour after Asr}.
Friday was also named by the messenger a the “Day of Mazeed” or day of extra giving. The messenger ppbu said: {Gabriel came up to me with a mirror. I asked what that was. Gabriel said: This is Friday, you and your nation have been given this benefit. The rest of the people come next to you, that is Jews and Christians. There is goodness in it for you. And it has an hour during which if one of the faithful makes a prayer asking Allah then Allah shall answer. And for us Friday is Al-Mazeed day (or day of extra or the More day). I asked: and what is al-Mazeed day? He said: Your Lord has taken in the highest Garden in Paradise a valley fragranced with heaps of Musk. When Friday comes Allah brings down as many of His angels as He pleases, surrounded by pedestals of light where the prophets are seated, and surrounded those with pedestals of gold decorated with rubies and sapphire upon which the martyrs and seddiqs (those who tell the truth and those who believed that the messenger ppbu told the truth). Allah says to them: I am your Lord, I have made true my promise. Ask me and I shall give you. They say: Our God, we ask for your satisfaction. He says: “I am satisfied with you, and you shall be granted what you wish for. And I have more”. And they believe it was the day of Friday is the reason why their Lord bestows upon them all the goodness}
Friday has so many and unlimited number of benefits; and which are difficult to describe. Here are some of such benefits. The messenger ppbu said: {Any Muslim who dies on the day or the night of a Friday while on faith, then he or she will be protected from temptations of the grave}
On the day of Friday every Muslim ought to do what was commanded of compulsory and recommended deeds, and some are:
1) Reciting a plenty of the Koran, especially for the Imam of a mosque to read the chapters (32) As-Sajdah and (76) Al-Insan at Dawn (Fajr) prayer.
During the day of Friday it is desirable to recite chapter (18) “Al-Kahf” (the Cave). The messenger ppbu said: {whoever reads Al-Kahf chapter on the day of Friday, a light will brighten up for him/her in between the two Fridays}.
2) Doing a plenty of prayers upon the messenger ppbu on the day or night of Friday. The messenger ppbu said: {say plenty of prayers upon me on the day or night of Friday. For this who says one prayer upon me, then Allah will say ten prayers upon him/her}.
3) The messenger ppbu said: {The wash (or shower) on Friday is compulsory for every mature Muslim, and brushing the teeth (or using Miswak) and if available is to put on some fragrance}.
4) The messenger ppbu said: {Who ever washes on a Friday, and brushes the teeth (or use miswak), and wears perfume if he/she has it, and puts on the best outfit he has; then goes out till he reaches the mosque, then he does not step over the heads of people, then he does as many as he likes of voluntary prayers, then he sits and listens until the Imam comes out and he does not talk until he finishes his prayer, then that will for him wipe out all his sins between that Friday and the Friday before it}.
5) It is recommended to do Takbeer or glorifying Allah on the way to the Mosque. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever washed and cleaned well, and went to the mosque and went early, and sat near and got closer (to the Imam), and listened and listened attentively, then for each step he stepped he gets the reward of fasting and the reward of night prayers of one full year}. The messenger ppbu also said: {whoever washes on a Friday the wash fit for purity off Janabah, then he leaves (for the mosque) early then it is as if he offered a camel, and whoever leaves at the second hour then it is as if he offered a cow, and whoever leaves at the third hour then it is as if he offered a ram with its horns, and whoever leaves at the forth hour then it is as if he offered a chicken, and whoever leaves at the fifth hour then it is as if he offered an egg. And when the Imam comes out for Khutba then angels come to listen to the talk}. Dear Muslims, do not forget about glorifying Allah on Fridays (Takbeer) and about coming early for Friday prayer.
6) Walking towards the Friday prayer is desirable. And it is also desirable to set closer to the Imam, and to absolutely listen attentively to the Friday talk (or Khutba). And do not get distracted with or by anything else. Listen with your heart to the lessons. The messenger ppbu said: {attend the Friday prayer, and get closer to the Imam. An individual may set further and further away from the Imam to the point that he shall be delayed in entering paradise, yet eventually he will still enter}.
7) If you come a little late, do not walk over or across the heads of others who are seated for the Friday seeking to get a front row. Some scholars warned against that and said it is a despised act and others went further to classify it as a forbidden act. The messenger ppbu was delivering a Friday khutba once when he saw a man who walked in the mosque and started crossing over others to get closer. The messenger ppbu denying that to him said: {set down for you have caused harm to others and you have come late}. Dear slaves of Allah, be warned and avoid anything which may take away the Friday rewards from you.
8) Finally, do not disturb others by loud voices or otherwise. This can be by talking out loud, or by the ringing of your mobile phone. The messenger ppbu said to some Muslim who recited the Koran out loud: {do not recite the Koran out loud over each other}. The messenger ppbu said: {even messing or playing with pebbles (or keys or other items during khutba) is the same as speaking out loud}. The messenger ppbu said: {if you say to your friend “Quit” or “Listen” on a Friday while the Imam is delivering the khutba then you have spoken out loud}. The messenger ppbu said: {this who says to his friend “Quit” while the Imam is delivering the khutba then he has spoken out loud, and whoever speaks out loud then Friday does not count for him}.
Do not miss Friday prayers
The messenger ppbu said: {let many people stop staying away from Friday prayers or else Allah will seal their hearts then they shall be amongst the heedless and oblivious}. The messenger ppbu said: {whoever misses Friday three times without a necessity then Allah will seal off his heart}.
Slaves of Allah, fear Allah and ask His forgiveness.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
- The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."
Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels. They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.
Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
Koran - Also spelled Qur'an. The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel. Koran literally means "the recital." It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)
Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.
Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations. He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
Paradise - Another word for heaven. A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.
PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.
Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.
Shirk - Associating another god with Allah. Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
Sunni: is a the title of those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.
Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.
Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
