What are the sunnahs of Friday?
The main sunnahs of Friday are taking a bath (ghusl), wearing clean clothes and perfume, going early to Jumu'ah, listening quietly to the sermon, sending lots of blessings on the Prophet ﷺ, making dua in the special hour, and reading Surah al-Kahf. None of them is hard, and even doing a few turns Friday into the best day of your week.
Why Friday is special
Friday is the weekly holiday of the Muslims. The Prophet ﷺ said it is the best day on which the sun has risen: Adam was created on it and entered Paradise on it (Sahih Muslim 854). For men, it is also the day of the Jumu'ah prayer, which replaces Dhuhr.
Before you go: ghusl, siwak and perfume
The Prophet ﷺ said the Friday bath is a duty for every adult male, along with cleaning the teeth with a siwak and using whatever perfume is available (Sahih al-Bukhari 880). Most scholars treat the bath as a strongly recommended sunnah, while some say it is obligatory, so try not to skip it. A normal shower with the intention of the Friday ghusl counts. Wear your cleanest clothes, too.
At the mosque
- Go early. Whoever goes in the first hour is like someone who sacrificed a camel, and the reward shrinks for each later hour (Sahih al-Bukhari 881).
- Don't push through rows. When a man stepped over people during the sermon, the Prophet ﷺ told him, "Sit down, you have annoyed people" (Sunan Abi Dawud 1118).
- Pray what you can, then listen. Whoever bathes, comes, prays what he can and stays silent until the imam finishes is forgiven his sins until the next Friday, plus three more days (Sahih Muslim 857). Even saying "be quiet" to someone during the khutbah is a slip (Sahih al-Bukhari 934), and so is scrolling. See Can I use my phone during the Friday sermon?
All day long
- Send blessings on the Prophet ﷺ. He told us to increase our salawat on Friday, because it is shown to him (Sunan Abi Dawud 1047). "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad" is enough.
- Look for the hour of answered dua. There is an hour on Friday in which a Muslim's request is granted (Sahih al-Bukhari 935). Many scholars point to the last hour before Maghrib. See What are the best times to make dua?
- Read Surah al-Kahf. Many Muslims read it from Thursday sunset to Friday sunset. See Should I read Surah al-Kahf on Fridays?
Women don't have to attend Jumu'ah, but the bath, perfume at home, salawat, dua and Surah al-Kahf are for everyone.
- Take a ghusl, use a siwak or toothbrush, and wear perfume and clean clothes.
- Go to Jumu'ah early and listen to the khutbah in silence.
- Send extra blessings on the Prophet ﷺ throughout the day.
- Make dua in the late afternoon and read Surah al-Kahf.
People also ask
Can I miss Jumu'ah for a football match?
No, adult men shouldn't miss Jumu'ah for a football match or training. Women, boys, travellers and the sick are excused. Tips to avoid clashes.
Read the full answer →Can I pray Jumu'ah at home?
No, you can't pray Jumu'ah alone at home, as it needs a congregation and khutbah. Pray Dhuhr instead; most scholars reject livestreamed Jumu'ah.
Read the full answer →What is tahiyyat al-masjid?
Tahiyyat al-masjid is two voluntary rakat you pray on entering a mosque, before sitting. Here's how to pray it, plus the khutbah and timing rules.
Read the full answer →Can I bring my kids to the mosque?
Yes, you can bring your kids to the mosque. The Prophet ﷺ welcomed kids and shortened prayer for a crying child. Tips on noise and kids' programs.
Read the full answer →What should I wear to the mosque?
Wear clean, loose, modest clothes to the mosque: men cover navel to knee, women all but face and hands. Bring clean socks and avoid strong smells.
Read the full answer →