Friday (Jumu’ah) Sunnahs Most People Miss – 15 Forgotten Sunnah Practices Every Muslim Should Know
SK Global Lens – Islamic Blog
Introduction
Friday (Jumu’ah) is one of the most blessed days of the week in Islam. It is a special day for Muslims to increase their worship, remember Allah, send blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, and prepare for the Friday congregational prayer.
However, many Muslims focus mainly on attending Jumu’ah Salah and overlook several beautiful Sunnah practices associated with this blessed day.
In this article, we will explore 15 Sunnah practices for Friday, supported by Quranic guidance and authentic Hadith, along with practical examples of how to follow them in daily life.
1. Take a Ritual Bath (Ghusl) Before Friday Prayer
Taking Ghusl on Friday is a highly emphasised Sunnah.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“When one of you comes to the Friday prayer, let him take a bath.”
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 877; Sahih Muslim 844.
Practical tip: Take Ghusl before going to the mosque, wear clean clothes and prepare yourself for Jumu’ah.
2. Wear Clean and Good Clothes
Friday is an excellent opportunity to dress neatly and respectfully for congregational prayer.
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged Muslims to take care of their appearance when attending Friday prayer.
Practical tip: Wear clean, presentable clothes and maintain personal hygiene.
3. Use Miswak Before Going to the Mosque
Cleaning the teeth is part of the Prophetic tradition.
Using Miswak helps maintain oral hygiene and is a recommended practice in Islam.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 887; Sahih Muslim 252.
4. Apply Perfume (For Men)
The Prophet ﷺ encouraged using fragrance when attending Friday prayer.
Practical tip: Men can apply a pleasant fragrance before going to the mosque, while observing Islamic guidelines regarding perfume and public spaces.
5. Send Abundant Durood Upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Friday is a particularly virtuous day for sending blessings upon Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Send abundant blessings upon me on Friday.”
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1047.
Practical tip: Recite Durood Ibrahim or other authentic forms of Salawat throughout Friday.
6. Recite Surah Al-Kahf
Reciting Surah Al-Kahf on Friday is a well-known recommended practice.
A narration in Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Al-Bayhaqi mentions the virtue of reciting Surah Al-Kahf on Friday.
Practical tip: Read the complete Surah, preferably during Friday, and reflect upon its lessons.
7. Go to the Mosque Early
Arriving early for Jumu’ah prayer is an important Sunnah practice.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described the great rewards associated with arriving early for Friday prayer.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 881; Sahih Muslim 850.
Practical tip: Plan your schedule so that you can reach the mosque before the Khutbah begins.
8. Avoid Stepping Over People’s Necks
When entering a crowded mosque, avoid disturbing people who are already sitting.
The Prophet ﷺ instructed a man who was stepping over people’s necks during the Friday sermon to sit down.
Reference: Sunan Abi Dawud 1118.
Practical tip: Reach early and find a comfortable place without disturbing others.
9. Pray Two Rakats When Entering the Mosque
Before sitting down, pray two Rakats of Tahiyyatul Masjid (greeting the mosque).
The Prophet ﷺ instructed a man who arrived while the Friday sermon was in progress to pray two brief Rakats.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 930; Sahih Muslim 875.
10. Listen Silently During the Khutbah
One of the most overlooked etiquettes of Jumu’ah is listening attentively to the Imam.
The Prophet ﷺ said that even telling another person to be quiet during the sermon is considered idle speech.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 934; Sahih Muslim 851.
Practical tip: Avoid conversations, mobile phones and unnecessary distractions during the Khutbah.
11. Make Abundant Dua on Friday
Friday contains a special period during which a Muslim’s sincere supplication is answered.
The Prophet ﷺ mentioned a special hour on Friday in which a Muslim asking Allah for something good may receive it.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 935; Sahih Muslim 852.
Practical tip: Make sincere Dua for forgiveness, guidance, family, health and the Hereafter. Scholars have discussed the precise timing of this special hour.
12. Pray Sunnah Prayers After Jumu’ah
Do not rush away without observing the Sunnah prayers after the obligatory Friday prayer.
Ibn Umar (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ used to pray two Rakats at home after Jumu’ah.
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 937; Sahih Muslim 882.
There are also authentic narrations mentioning four Rakats after Jumu’ah.
Reference: Sahih Muslim 881.
13. Increase Quran Recitation
Friday is an excellent opportunity to spend additional time with the Holy Quran.
Along with Surah Al-Kahf, read other portions of the Quran and reflect on their meanings.
Practical tip: Set aside 15–20 minutes for Quran recitation on Friday.
14. Remember Allah Throughout the Day
Friday should not be limited to attending the mosque.
Allah says:
“And when the prayer has been concluded, disperse within the land and seek from the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often that you may succeed.”
Reference: Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:10).
Practical tip: Continue remembering Allah through Dhikr, Tasbeeh, Istighfar and Durood throughout the day.
15. Stop Business and Respond to the Call for Jumu’ah
Allah specifically instructs believers to leave business when the call for Friday prayer is made.
Allah says:
“O you who have believed, when the call is made for prayer on the day of Jumu’ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade.”
Reference: Surah Al-Jumu’ah (62:9).
Practical tip: Organise your work schedule around Jumu’ah Salah and avoid delaying the prayer for business activities.
7. Friday Sunnah Checklist
Use this simple checklist to develop a consistent Friday routine.
My Friday worship checklist
0/13 completed
[ ] Take Ghusl before Jumu’ah
[ ] Clean teeth using Miswak
[ ] Wear clean and presentable clothes
[ ] Apply fragrance (men)
[ ] Recite Durood Sharif abundantly
[ ] Read Surah Al-Kahf
[ ] Reach the mosque early
[ ] Pray Tahiyyatul Masjid
[ ] Listen silently to the Khutbah
[ ] Perform Jumu’ah Salah
[ ] Observe Sunnah prayers after Jumu’ah
[ ] Make sincere Dua
[ ] Increase Quran recitation and Dhikr
Reset checklist
8. Common Mistakes Muslims Should Avoid on Friday
– Arriving late and missing the Khutbah.
– Talking while the Imam is delivering the sermon.
– Using mobile phones unnecessarily inside the mosque.
– Disturbing people who are already sitting.
– Neglecting Durood and Quran recitation.
– Treating Friday only as a weekly holiday rather than an opportunity for worship.
– Sharing unauthenticated Hadith about Friday without checking their sources.
9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is reading Surah Al-Kahf on Friday Sunnah?
It is a recommended practice supported by narrations whose authenticity has been accepted by a number of Hadith scholars.
Q2. Can women also follow Friday Sunnahs?
Yes. Women can observe Friday’s recommended acts, including Ghusl when appropriate, Quran recitation, Dhikr, Durood and Dua. Friday congregational prayer is not obligatory for women.
Q3. What is the best time to make Dua on Friday?
There is an hour of special acceptance on Friday. Among the well-known scholarly opinions is that it occurs in the final hour after Asr before Maghrib.
Q4. How many Sunnah Rakats should be prayed after Jumu’ah?
Authentic narrations mention both two Rakats at home and four Rakats. Follow reliable scholarly guidance regarding the practice.
Q5. Is Ghusl compulsory on Friday?
The Hadith strongly emphasise Friday Ghusl. Scholars differ on whether it is obligatory or an emphasised Sunnah.
10. Conclusion
Friday is a precious opportunity to strengthen our relationship with Allah and follow the beautiful teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
We should not limit our Friday worship to attending the congregational prayer. From taking Ghusl and wearing clean clothes to reciting the Quran, sending Durood and making sincere Dua, every recommended practice gives us an opportunity to improve our faith.
Let us make an effort to revive these Sunnahs in our daily lives and teach them to our families and future generations.
May Allah guide us to follow the authentic Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and accept our worship. Ameen.
