Etiquettes of Jummah and Attending the Khutbah
O ye who believe! When the call is proclaimed to prayer on Friday (the Day of Assembly), hasten earnestly to the Remembrance of Allah, and leave off business (and traffic): That is best for you if ye but knew! (62:9)
Coming to Jummah is and should be a priority for each and every one of us. Whether we have work, class or other things, try your best to see how to accommodate around it. Most of the time it will work. Don’t give yourself any excuses.
The Prophet (SAW) said, “The five daily prayers, and praying one Friday prayer and the next, and the fasting of Ramadan, result in the expiation of the sins committed between them, so long as major sins are avoided.” This does not, however, mean that the Muslims should come to the Masjid only on Fridays, neglecting it at other times. This does not mean either that Muslims should indulge in sins at will, thinking that they will be forgiven anyhow.
Now let’s talk about some etiquette:
Coming early
Rasulallah (Pbuh) said: “On the day of Jummah, the angels stand at the entrance of that Masjid in which Jummah salaat is to be offered. They write down the name of the person who enters the Masjid first, and thereafter the name of the person who follows, and they continue doing this. The person who entered first will receive the reward of sacrificing a camel in the path of Allah; the one who followed him will get the reward of sacrificing a cow, thereafter a chicken, thereafter the reward of giving an egg as charity in the path of Allah. Once the khutbah commences, the angels close the register and begin listening to the khutbah. “ (Bukhari and Muslim) This should encourage us to go early to the Masjid on Friday for salat. All of us go early to the marketplace to trade. Why then do we not do the same with Friday prayers, which benefit our salvation and help us to attain paradise? Abu Talib Al-Macci said, “The first innovation (bida’ah) in Islam was not going early to the Masjid on Fridays.” Ghazali adds, “Why do Muslims not feel ashamed that the Jews and Christians go early for worship on Saturdays and Sundays?”
Cleaning up
Narrated 'Abdullah bin Umar: Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "Anyone of you attending the Friday (prayers) should take a bath." Narrated Abu Said: I testify that Allah's Apostle said, "The taking of a bath on Friday is compulsory for every male Muslim who has attained the age of puberty and (also) the cleaning of his teeth with Siwak, and the using of perfume if it is available” (Bukhari
Arriving on Time
Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba." Prophet SAW forbade people from going over worshippers’ shoulders when trying to reach the front rows; and forbade us from interrupting prayers in any form. He also asked us to sit in the front-most rows to show the intention of sincerity, the need for knowledge, and show humility for Allah. Coming to khutbah early will help us avoid this situation and earn the extra rewards.
Going to Prayer calmly
Narrated Abu Huraira: I heard Allah's Apostles (p.b.u.h) saying, "If the prayer started do not run for it but just walk for it calmly and pray whatever you get, and complete whatever is missed". So in case you are running late do NOT rush and create distraction for others by running into the prayer.
Praying 2 Rakats
Narrated Jabir bin 'Abdullah: A person entered the mosque while the Prophet was delivering the Khutba on a Friday. The Prophet said to him, "Have you prayed?" The man replied in the negative. The Prophet said, "Get up and pray two Rakat." It’s best to come early and pray 2 rakat allowing you to enter a state of worship and attentiveness.
Listen attentively
Concentrating and internalizing the message of the khutbah for this is the entire purpose of the gathering. Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle (p.b.u.h) said, "When the Imam is delivering the Khutba, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then no doubt you have done an evil act." So even talking to others to make them quite is not allowed showing you the importance of paying attention and listening to the khatib. Not playing with the carpet or its designs or text messaging or checking the internet on the phones. Any distraction as small as this can nullify your prayer. Knowing that the khutbah is part of the prayer and so respecting it the same way one respects their conversation with Allah.
Meet and Greet
Your asked to stand with one another. Shoulder to shoulder and feet to feet. Symbolically bringing you together to people you may or may not know. Greet them after prayers. Get to know them and invite them to attend in the future.
Reflection and Introspection
Reinforcement of message, many things you might already know, but as you hear them again the messages are reinforced and refreshed in your memory. Secondly it’s a time to weekly recalibrate yourself. If you learnt something this week, and you apply it then assess where you stand the week after. After hearing Allah’s message it should recalibrate you to everything your doing. Third, share and discuss the positive things you have learnt with family and friends. This will make you remember what you learnt but you will receive ajar for sharing it with others.
Make Du'aa
At the time the Imaam sits in the middle of the khutbah. For it may be then special time of Friday and one should not miss this time in which du'aa is accepted.
Recite Surat Al-Kahf
It is very rewarding to recite Surat Al-Kahf on Fridays before the salat. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever reads Surat Al-Kahf on Fridays, there will be a bright light to shine for him between the two Fridays.”
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