There's one day every week when the gates of mercy swing wider, when duas are guaranteed to be answered and when sins are forgiven more readily.
A day so blessed that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ called it the best day the sun has ever risen upon.
That day is Friday—Jumu'ah.
But the problem is that, most Muslims treat Friday like just another day with a slightly longer lunch break for prayer.
They rush to the mosque, sit through the khutbah (often distracted or on their phones), pray two rak'ahs, and then go right back to their regular routines.
They think attending Jumu'ah prayer is enough.
It's not.
The Prophet ﷺ had specific practices for Friday that changed it from an ordinary day into an extraordinary one.
And when you follow those practices, you don't just attend Jumu'ah. You experience it. You feel it.
Why Friday Is Unlike Any Other Day
Before diving into the practices, you need to understand why Friday holds such a unique status in Islam.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
خَيْرُ يَوْمٍ طَلَعَتْ عَلَيْهِ الشَّمْسُ يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ، فِيهِ خُلِقَ آدَمُ، وَفِيهِ أُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ، وَفِيهِ أُخْرِجَ مِنْهَا، وَلَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ إِلَّا فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ
"The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On it Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise, on it he was expelled from it, and the Hour will not be established except on Friday." (Sahih Muslim)
Lets see what that means.
This is the day Adam was created—the beginning of humanity. This is the day he entered Paradise—the first taste of eternal bliss. This is also the day he was expelled—the first test of repentance and mercy. And this will be the day when everything ends and the Day of Judgment begins.
Friday bookends all of human existence.
It marks the beginning and the end. And in between, every Friday is a reminder of that cycle—of creation, of Paradise, of accountability.
Beyond that, Friday has practical, immediate blessings.
There's a specific hour during Friday when every single dua is answered.
The scholars differ on exactly when that hour is, but the strongest opinions place it either during the khutbah or in the last hour before Maghrib.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ لَا يُوَافِقُهَا عَبْدٌ مُسْلِمٌ وَهُوَ قَائِمٌ يُصَلِّي يَسْأَلُ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى شَيْئًا إِلَّا أَعْطَاهُ إِيَّاهُ
"On Friday there is an hour during which, if a Muslim asks Allah for anything while praying, Allah will give it to him." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
One hour. Guaranteed acceptance. No exceptions.
This alone should make you treat Friday differently than every other day of the week.
Practice 1: Take a Full Bath (Ghusl) on Friday Morning
The first practice is one of the most emphasized: taking a complete bath on Friday morning.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
غُسْلُ يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ وَاجِبٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُحْتَلِمٍ
"Taking a bath on Friday is obligatory upon every adult." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Now, the scholars clarify that "obligatory" here means strongly emphasized, not absolutely required in the technical legal sense. But the language the Prophet ﷺ used shows how important he considered it.
When you take a full bath on Friday morning, you're marking the day as special.
You're preparing yourself, body and soul, to stand before Allah in the congregational prayer. You're treating Friday with the same level of preparation you'd give to Eid or a wedding.
The bath should be done with the same method as ghusl: washing the private parts, performing wudu, then pouring water over your entire body three times, starting with the right side. Make sure water reaches every part of your body, including the roots of your hair.
Make this bath feel different.
Use your best soap. Take your time. Make dua while bathing. Turn it into an act of worship, not just a hygiene routine.
This practice connects directly to what's discussed in the Sunnah of cleanliness , where cleanliness isn't just physical—it's a form of honoring yourself, others, and the act of worship you're about to perform.
Practice 2: Wear Your Best Clean Clothes
After bathing, the Prophet ﷺ would wear his best clean clothes specifically for Jumu'ah.
He said:
مَا عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ إِنْ وَجَدَ سَعَةً أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ ثَوْبَيْنِ لِيَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ سِوَى ثَوْبَيْ مِهْنَتِهِ
"If any of you can afford it, he should have two garments for Friday, other than his work clothes." (Ibn Majah)
This doesn't mean you need expensive designer clothes.
It means wearing something clean, dignified, and presentable. Something that reflects the honor of the day.
The Prophet ﷺ would often wear white, which was considered the best color for clothing.
But any clean, modest, dignified clothing works.
The key is intention—you're dressing up for Allah, not to impress people.
Your Friday clothes should be dedicated to Friday.
Don't wear the same outfit you wore to work all week.
Don't wear something stained or wrinkled. Set aside specific clothes for Jumu'ah, and that simple act will make Friday feel different the moment you put them on.
Practice 3: Apply Perfume
After bathing and dressing, the Prophet ﷺ would apply perfume—specifically for Jumu'ah.
He said:
مَا عَلَى أَحَدِكُمْ إِنْ وَجَدَ أَنْ يَتَّخِذَ ثَوْبَيْنِ لِيَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ سِوَى ثَوْبَيْ مِهْنَتِهِ، وَأَنْ يَمَسَّ مِنَ الطِّيبِ
"If any of you can afford it, he should have two garments for Friday other than his work clothes, and he should apply perfume." (Abu Dawud)
When you go to the mosque, you're entering a communal space.
People will be sitting close to you. Praying next to you. Standing shoulder to shoulder in congregation.
If you show up smelling of sweat, body odor, or strong food (like garlic or onions), you're creating discomfort for others. You're distracting them from worship.
The Prophet ﷺ specifically forbade people who ate garlic or onions from coming to the mosque until the smell dissipated. He said:
مَنْ أَكَلَ ثُومًا أَوْ بَصَلًا فَلْيَعْتَزِلْنَا أَوْ لِيَعْتَزِلْ مَسْجِدَنَا
"Whoever eats garlic or onions should keep away from us or keep away from our mosque." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
So apply deodorant at minimum.
If you can afford perfume or cologne, even better. The Prophet ﷺ loved musk and would apply it specifically for Jumu'ah.
Practice 4: Go Early to the Mosque
One of the most neglected practices is arriving early for Jumu'ah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ غُسْلَ الْجَنَابَةِ ثُمَّ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْأُولَى فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَدَنَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّانِيَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَقَرَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الثَّالِثَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ كَبْشًا أَقْرَنَ، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الرَّابِعَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ دَجَاجَةً، وَمَنْ رَاحَ فِي السَّاعَةِ الْخَامِسَةِ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَرَّبَ بَيْضَةً
"Whoever takes a bath on Friday, then goes early to the mosque, it is as if he offered a camel as sacrifice. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he offered a cow. Whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he offered a ram. Whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he offered a chicken. Whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he offered an egg." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
The earlier you arrive, the greater the reward. The later you arrive, the less you receive.
Most people rush in right as the khutbah is starting—or worse, after it's already begun..
But when you arrive early, everything changes.
You get the best spot in the mosque. You have time to pray voluntary prayers. You can sit and read Quran. You can make dua. You can mentally prepare for the khutbah instead of just enduring it.
Aim to arrive at least 20-30 minutes before the khutbah begins.
If you can arrive earlier, even better.
Use that time to pray two rak'ahs of Tahiyyat al-Masjid (greeting the mosque), then sit and engage in worship.
Practice 5: Pray Voluntary Prayers Before Jumu'ah
When you arrive early, don't just sit and wait for the khutbah.
Pray.
There's no specific number of rak'ahs required before Jumu'ah, but the Prophet ﷺ encouraged praying as much as you can.
He said:
مَنِ اغْتَسَلَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَغَسَّلَ وَبَكَّرَ وَابْتَكَرَ وَمَشَى وَلَمْ يَرْكَبْ وَدَنَا مِنَ الْإِمَامِ وَاسْتَمَعَ وَلَمْ يَلْغُ كَانَ لَهُ بِكُلِّ خُطْوَةٍ عَمَلُ سَنَةٍ أَجْرُ صِيَامِهَا وَقِيَامِهَا
"Whoever takes a bath on Friday, goes early, walks (instead of riding), sits close to the imam, listens attentively, and does not engage in frivolous talk—for every step he takes, he will have the reward of fasting and standing in prayer for a year." (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
Some scholars recommend praying four rak'ahs before Jumu'ah, similar to the Sunnah before Dhuhr.
Others say to pray as many two-rak'ah sets as you can until the imam begins the khutbah.
The point is: don't waste the time.
Use it for worship. Pray, read Quran, make dhikr. This is your opportunity to fill your scale with good deeds before the main event even begins.
Practice 6: Recite Surah Al-Kahf
One of the most emphasized practices of Friday is reading Surah Al-Kahf—the 18th chapter of the Quran.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
مَنْ قَرَأَ سُورَةَ الْكَهْفِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ أَضَاءَ لَهُ مِنَ النُّورِ مَا بَيْنَ الْجُمُعَتَيْنِ
"Whoever recites Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between the two Fridays." (Hakim, Bayhaqi)
Surah Al-Kahf contains four powerful stories, each teaching a critical lesson:
The story of the People of the Cave teaches steadfastness in faith when surrounded by disbelief.
The story of the two men with gardens teaches gratitude and the danger of arrogance.
The story of Musa and Khidr teaches humility, patience, and trusting Allah's wisdom even when you don't understand.
The story of Dhul-Qarnayn teaches justice, power used for good, and preparing for the trials to come.
These lessons are what you need to carry into your week.
When you read Surah Al-Kahf on Friday, you're not just reciting words. You're absorbing guidance that will protect you, remind you, and keep you grounded until the next Friday.
You can recite it at any point during Friday—from Fajr on Friday morning until Maghrib on Friday evening. Many people recite it after Fajr or while waiting for Jumu'ah to begin.
If you can't recite the entire surah (it's about 12 pages), scholars say that even reciting the first ten verses or the last ten verses carries tremendous reward and protection.
Practice 7: Send Abundant Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ
Friday is also the day to send abundant blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
He said:
أَكْثِرُوا الصَّلَاةَ عَلَيَّ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ وَلَيْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ، فَمَنْ صَلَّى عَلَيَّ صَلَاةً صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ عَشْرًا
"Increase your sending of blessings upon me on Friday and the night of Friday, for whoever sends blessings upon me once, Allah will send blessings upon him ten times." (Bayhaqi)
One salawat from you equals ten blessings from Allah. On Friday, that's multiplied even further.
The scholars recommend sending at least 100 salawat on Friday, though some righteous people would send 1,000 or more.
You can use the simple version:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
"O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad."
Or the longer version recited in prayer:
اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ، اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا بَارَكْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَعَلَى آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ
Say it while walking to the mosque. Say it while waiting for the khutbah. Say it throughout the day.
This practice is part of the larger framework of constant remembrance discussed in the complete guide to Sunnah prayers and worship, where dhikr and salawat become the background rhythm of a believer's life.
Practice 8: Listen Attentively to the Khutbah
This seems obvious, but it's one of the most violated practices of Friday.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
إِذَا قُلْتَ لِصَاحِبِكَ يَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ: أَنْصِتْ، وَالْإِمَامُ يَخْطُبُ، فَقَدْ لَغَوْتَ
"If you say to your companion on Friday, 'Be quiet,' while the imam is delivering the khutbah, you have engaged in idle talk." (Sahih al-Bukhari)
Even telling someone to be quiet counts as idle talk.
That's how serious the Prophet ﷺ was about silence and attentiveness during the khutbah.
Yet what do most people do?
They're on their phones. They're whispering to the person next to them. They're fidgeting, distracted, thinking about lunch.
When the imam begins the khutbah, put your phone on silent and put it away. Not on your lap where you can see notifications. Away. In your pocket or bag.
Face the imam.
Listen with full attention. If your mind wanders, gently bring it back. Treat the khutbah like you're receiving a personal message from the Prophet ﷺ himself.
Practice 9: Make Dua During the Hour of Acceptance
Somewhere during Friday, there's a specific hour when every dua is guaranteed to be answered.
The scholars differ on exactly when that hour is. The strongest opinions are:
The first opinion is that it's during the khutbah and prayer. From the time the imam begins the khutbah until the prayer is finished. This is the view of Imam Ahmad and others.
The second opinion is that it's in the last hour before Maghrib on Friday. From Asr until Maghrib. This is the view of many scholars and is supported by the practice of the Companions.
Since we don't know for certain, the smart approach is to maximize your dua during both times.
During the khutbah, make silent dua in your heart. You can't speak out loud, but you can ask Allah internally. And if the hour of acceptance is during this time, your dua is guaranteed.
After Jumu'ah prayer, don't rush out of the mosque.
Stay. Pray more voluntary prayers. Make some dua. Especially as Asr time approaches and during the time between Asr and Maghrib.
This is THE golden window.
Sit. Make dua. Pour your heart out. Go through your list. Ask for everything you need. Allah is waiting to give.
Don't waste this hour shopping, eating, or scrolling.
Practice 10: Continue Good Deeds Throughout the Day
The practices don't end when Jumu'ah prayer is over. Friday is a complete experience that extends from Fajr until Maghrib.
After Jumu'ah, pray the Sunnah prayers.
The Prophet ﷺ would pray four rak'ahs after Jumu'ah. Some scholars say two rak'ahs are sufficient, but four is more emphasized.
Spend the afternoon engaged in good deeds.
Read more Quran. Make more dhikr. Help someone. Give charity. Visit family. Do something that brings you closer to Allah.
Avoid sins with extra vigilance on Friday.
If you're trying to break a bad habit, Friday is the day to be most disciplined. Don't let this blessed day be stained by haram.
And as the day comes to an end, ask yourself: did I honor this day the way it deserves? Did I treat Friday differently than the other six days?
If yes, Alhamdulillah. If no, resolve to do better next Friday.
Because Friday comes every week.
What Happens When You Honor Friday
When you implement all ten of these practices consistently, the following things happen!
Friday stops feeling like just another day. It becomes a weekly spiritual retreat. A day you look forward to. A day that feels elevated, different, special.
You start to notice that your duas are being answered more frequently.
Doors are opening. Problems are resolving. Barakah is entering your life in ways you can't quite explain.
Your relationship with the Quran deepens because you're reading Surah Al-Kahf every week. Those four stories become embedded in your consciousness, guiding your decisions and perspectives.
Your connection to the Prophet ﷺ strengthens because you're sending abundant blessings upon him. You feel closer to him, more aware of his example, more committed to following his way.
Your discipline improves because if you can honor Friday consistently, you can do anything.
And most importantly, you feel closer to Allah.
You sense His presence. You trust His plan. You recognize His blessings.
That's what happens when you treat Friday the way the Prophet ﷺ treated it—as the crown jewel of your week.
Your Action Plan: Starting This Friday
You don't need to wait. You can implement this starting this Friday.
Here's your simple checklist:
Thursday night, set your alarm earlier than usual so you have time for ghusl on Friday morning.
Friday morning, take a full bath. Wear your best clean clothes. Apply perfume. Set the intention that today is different.
Leave for the mosque early. Aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the khutbah begins.
While waiting, pray voluntary prayers. Read Surah Al-Kahf. Send abundant salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.
During the khutbah, put your phone away and listen attentively. Make silent dua in your heart.
After Jumu'ah, pray four rak'ahs. Then stay in the mosque making dua, especially as the afternoon progresses.
In the last hour before Maghrib, dedicate time to sincere, focused dua. This could be your hour of acceptance.
Throughout the day, continue reading Quran, making dhikr, and doing good deeds.
Before sleeping, reflect on how Friday felt different.
Do this every week for a month. Just four Fridays. And watch how your relationship with this day change.
The Connection to the Bigger Picture
Just as Tahajjud prayer teaches you to own the night, the Sunnah of Jumu'ah teaches you to own Friday.
To make it yours. To treat it as the weekly spiritual summit that it's meant to be.
And when you combine these practices—waking for Tahajjud during the week, honoring Friday, praying the other voluntary prayers—you're not just fulfilling obligations.
You're building a life of worship. A life where every day has purpose, every week has a climax, and every moment is an opportunity to draw closer to Allah.
That's the life the Prophet ﷺ lived. That's the life he's inviting you to live.
So start this Friday.
