Why does Allah SWT make Friday special? In Islam, Friday is not only a sign that the weekend is approaching, but it is also the day that Allah has chosen for His people to gather to perform Friday prayers. Many important events have taken place on Fridays, from the creation of Prophet Adam AS to the day designated for the apocalypse or the end of the world. On Friday, there are also auspicious times for praying and performing good deeds such as giving alms. Besides that, what else is special about Friday in Islam? Scroll down to find out more!
The Virtues of Friday in Islam
1. The Best Day and Honored by Allah
Friday is not just a time when Muslims gather for congregational prayer (Friday Prayer), but also a special day in the sight of Allah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) even called it sayyidul ayyam—the master of all days, the most important day among all other days. Surah Al-Jumu’ah verse 9 is the basis for why Muslims must respect Friday. Through this verse, Allah commands believers to leave their worldly affairs when the call to Friday prayer is sounded and to hasten to remember Him.
“O you who believe, when the call to prayer is sounded on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave your trading. That is better for you, if you only knew.”
(QS. Al-Jumu’ah: 9)
This glory and honor are reaffirmed in the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him):
“The best day on which the sun rises is Friday…”
(HR. Muslim)
In this hadith, the Prophet Muhammad also reminds his followers that Friday is a witness to a great event in human history—the beginning of human life, namely the creation of the Prophet Adam, until its end, namely the Day of Judgment. Thus, Friday is a day to renew faith, increase prayers, and enliven the heart with remembrance and righteous deeds.
Read also: 11 Friday Practices that Increase Blessings & Love for the Prophet
3. Sins are Erased Between Two Fridays
Another virtue of Friday is that it serves as a means of cleansing oneself from minor sins.
“The five daily prayers and Friday to the next Friday erase the sins between them, as long as major sins are avoided.”
(HR. Muslim)
Every week, Allah gives humans the opportunity to renew their repentance and cleanse themselves of mistakes that may have been committed unconsciously.
4. A Day of Answered Prayers
One of the greatest blessings of Friday is the presence of a time when prayers are answered, when the prayers of a servant will not be rejected.
“On Friday there is a time when no Muslim servant prays to Allah during that time, but Allah will give him what he asks for.”
(HR. Bukhari & Muslim)
When is that time? Most scholars say it’s between Asr and Maghrib, or between the call to prayer and the iqamah for Friday prayer. That’s why Muslims are encouraged to pray a lot during those two times—asking for forgiveness, mercy, and goodness in this world and the hereafter.
5. Day of Increasing Good Deeds
The virtue of Friday also lies in the sunnah worship. The Prophet Muhammad taught his followers to cleanse themselves physically by bathing, using miswak, wearing perfume, and cleansing themselves spiritually by reading Surah Al-Kahfi, increasing prayers for him, and giving alms. All of this is a form of physical and spiritual purification to welcome the glorious day of Friday.
6. Day of Glory
Of all the people, only Muslims have been chosen to make Friday the main day of worship.
“Allah misled those before us from Friday. So for the Jews it is Saturday, for the Christians it is Sunday. Then Allah guided us to make it Friday.”
(HR. Muslim)
This is proof of Allah’s love for the followers of the Prophet Muhammad, the last followers in the world, but the first followers to receive glory in the hereafter.
Read also: The Virtues of Giving Alms on Friday
7. Double Rewards
Friends, if you are interested in collecting as many rewards as possible, then increase your worship and good deeds on Friday. This is because Allah SWT has promised to give double rewards on Friday. The virtue of Friday is even mentioned in the Qur’an in Surah Al-Baqarah.
“The parable of those who spend their wealth in the way of Allah is like a grain that grows seven stalks, each stalk containing a hundred grains. Allah multiplies for whom He wills, and Allah is All-Encompassing, All-Knowing.”
(QS. Al Baqarah: 216)
Almsgiving on Friday
Friends, Friday is a precious gift from Allah to His people. In it there is forgiveness, answered prayers, and the opportunity to multiply rewards. Whoever honors Friday with a pure heart, sincere intentions, and righteous deeds will receive abundant mercy and glory from Allah SWT.
Friday is the best time to open our hearts and share our blessings. Therefore, friends, let us not miss this opportunity to give alms. This is because every good deed we do on Friday will return to us with double the reward.
On this day, charity is even more special in the eyes of Allah. Every rupiah we give to those in need, insha’Allah, will return in the form of blessings and peace of mind. Friday charity is a beautiful way to seek His pleasure and mercy. (RQA)
