What is the Jumu'ah prayer?
The Friday prayer (salat al-jumu'ah) is the main congregational prayer of the week. It's performed in a congregation shortly after the sun passes its zenith and replaces the midday prayer (dhuhr) for that day. It consists of two parts: first, the khutbah, a sermon in two parts, and then two rak'at of prayer behind the imam.
It's not optional. Allah commands the believers to leave everything when the call is made:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ
O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. - Quran 62:9 (al-Jumu'ah)
The Prophet ﷺ described the special status of Friday among the days of the week:
“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he was admitted into Paradise, and on it he was expelled from it.” - Sahih Muslim 854
And whoever takes care of their Jumu'ah prayer will have their shortcomings between Fridays forgiven:
“The five daily prayers, and Jumu'ah to Jumu'ah, are expiations for what is between them, as long as major sins are avoided.” - Sahih Muslim 233
The Jumu'ah prayer in congregation is an obligation for adult men who are able to attend; women, children, the sick, and travelers are exempt but welcome, and their prayer is valid. Those who attend should come on time, listen to the khutbah in silence, and pray the two rak'at behind the imam.
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