How to Perform Friday Prayer (Jumu'ah): Step-by-Step Guide

What Is the Importance and Obligation of Friday Prayer?

Friday prayer is a special form — performed on a specific day of the week — of the prayer that constitutes one of the five pillars of Islam. In the Quran, verse 9 of Surah Al-Jumu'ah states: "O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business." The Prophet's ﷺ hadiths mention great merits specific to Friday prayer, along with warnings for those who neglect it. According to the Hanafi school, Friday prayer is obligatory (fard) for resident (non-traveling) men.

Who Is Friday Prayer Obligatory For?

Friday prayer is obligatory for Muslims meeting the following conditions:

• Being male
• Being of sound mind
• Having reached puberty
• Being resident (not considered a traveler; not at a traveling distance)
• Being healthy (a serious illness is a valid excuse)
• Being free and independent

Friday prayer is not obligatory for women; however, women who wish to pray it may join the congregation or pray Dhuhr at home instead.

When Is Friday Prayer Performed?

Friday prayer is performed at the Dhuhr time. The sermon begins after the Dhuhr call to prayer; immediately after the sermon ends, the 2 rak'ah fard Friday prayer is performed. You can follow prayer times for your city's prayer times page.

Friday Sunnahs and Preparation

The sunnahs of Friday recommended by the Prophet ﷺ are:

• Taking a full ritual bath (ghusl)
• Wearing clean, good clothing
• Using a miswak or toothbrush
• Wearing pleasant fragrance
• Going to the prayer early
• Sending abundant salawat (blessings) on Friday and its night
• Reciting Surah Al-Kahf (on Friday or its night)

The Structure of Friday Prayer's Rak'ahs

According to the Hanafi school, the structure of Friday prayer is as follows:

1. First Sunnah (4 rak'ahs): Prayed the same way as Dhuhr's first sunnah. Prayed at the mosque if it's open, otherwise at home.
2. Sermon (Khutbah): The imam ascends the pulpit and delivers the sermon in Arabic in two parts. Talking during the sermon is disliked; listening in silence is sunnah.
3. 2 Rak'ahs Fard: The essence of Friday prayer, performed in congregation behind the imam. It replaces the Dhuhr prayer.
4. Final Sunnahs: After the fard prayer, 4 rak'ahs of sunnah are prayed, followed by 2 rak'ahs of the time's sunnah.

The Importance of the Sermon and Etiquette of Listening

The sermon is an inseparable part of Friday prayer and, in a sense, a condition for it (there is no Friday prayer without a sermon). During the sermon:

• Sitting silently and listening is fard
• Even if one enters the mosque during the sermon, one does not pray but sits down
• Even if it isn't possible to hear the sermon, one must still sit silently
• Distractions such as mobile phones should be avoided

How Is the First Sunnah Performed?

The first sunnah is 4 rak'ahs, performed the same way as Dhuhr's first sunnah:

• Intention: "I intend to pray the first sunnah of Friday prayer."
• Al-Fatiha plus a surah is recited in each of the 4 rak'ahs.
• After two rak'ahs, one sits for the tashahhud, recites At-Tahiyyatu, then stands back up.

How Is the 2 Rak'ah Fard Performed?

In these 2 rak'ahs prayed in congregation, the imam recites aloud:

1. The prayer begins with the opening takbir.
2. The imam recites Al-Fatiha plus a surah (the congregation listens silently).
3. Bowing (ruku) and prostration (sujud) are performed.
4. After the second rak'ah is completed, the tashahhud is recited and the prayer ends with the salam.

The Final Sunnahs

After the fard, 4 rak'ahs of Friday's final sunnah are prayed. This is followed by 2 rak'ahs of the time's sunnah (Dhuhr's final sunnah). According to some schools, the final sunnah is 6 rak'ahs; in the Hanafi school this is applied as 4+2=6 rak'ahs.

Can Friday Prayer Be Performed at Home?

According to the Hanafi school, Friday prayer must be performed in congregation with an imam; it cannot be prayed alone at home. If someone cannot attend Friday prayer, they pray Dhuhr instead. In cases of valid excuse such as illness or travel, Dhuhr is likewise prayed.

Friday Prayer for Women

Friday prayer is not obligatory for women; they pray Dhuhr instead. However, women who wish to go to the mosque and pray Friday prayer may do so. In that case, their prayer is valid and takes the place of Dhuhr. Listening to the sermon and joining the congregation carries spiritual value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do if I miss Friday prayer? Those who cannot perform Friday prayer due to a valid excuse pray Dhuhr instead that day.

Is Dhuhr prayed again at the mosque where Friday prayer was held? According to the Hanafi school, Dhuhr of that same day is not prayed separately at the place where Friday prayer was performed.

When should I recite Surah Al-Kahf on Friday? It can be recited at any time on Friday or its night; it is a common practice to recite it especially after the Fajr prayer and on the way to Friday prayer.

Related Pages

• How to Pray Salah: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners — to learn your daily prayers.
• Daily Prayer Times — find your city's Friday prayer time.
• Surah Al-Ikhlas: Recitation and Virtue — a surah frequently recited in Friday prayers.
• Ayat al-Kursi: Recitation and Meaning — a verse recommended for recitation on Fridays.
• How to Perform Wudu? — a step-by-step guide to the Friday ghusl and wudu.