Make Friday a Holy Day for Rest and Relaxation
We live in a world where our gadgets are on 24/7. Does that mean we must be on all the time too? It seems like that, no wonder we’re always tired. It’s like we’re on a treadmill that never stops. Time poverty is seen as a badge of achievement, a sign of being busy and high-ranked. We find the idea of resting strange and resist it as it signifies laziness. Is this the right attitude towards life? In return for our efforts and being on 24/7, the world offers money, so we can live leisurely.
On the other hand, Islam gives us Friday, a day of rest. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “People should stop their trading on Friday or else their hearts will be sealed, they will be forgetful people” (Muslim). In another hadith, he (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever misses three Fridays consecutively isn’t one of us” (Muslim).
Friday is an antidote to our obsession with work and refusal to rest. It challenges the prevalent materialistic worldview that you must be continuously engaged in economic activities. Stopping work and resting shows trust in Allah, the Provider, Al-Razzaq. The question is do we set aside a regular time in our weekly schedule for rest? Probably not. This workaholic attitude and refusal to rest causes health problems and relationship breakdown.
The positive impact of Jummah on our health
The human body operates rhythmically. This is known as the circadian rhythm, the blood pressure, the heartbeat, and the bowel movements follow a pattern of going up and down throughout the day. This is how Allah has created us, by riding roughshod over bodily patterns we ruin our health. Resting is key to healthy living and our mental well-being.
The family and friend’s connection
Unfortunately, we disregard the significance of relationships with our family, friends and relatives, we regard them as an optional extra in our lives. Yet relationships are the foundation of human happiness and their neglect is the cause of misery. The gadgets are replacing relatives and friends. What a poor substitute!
What can we do on Friday?
Free yourselves from your workaholic mindset and abandon the idea that we must be busy. We can invite relatives and friends for a meal or visit the sick, visit relatives, go for a leisurely walk and enjoy the countryside.
Virtues of Friday Prayer
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Anyone who takes a bath on Friday, wears his best clothes and puts on perfume, then comes to the prayer early. Sits and listens to the Imam when he is preaching, this is atonement for his sins from Friday to Friday” (Muslim).
In another hadith, he (peace be upon him) said: “on this day send blessings on me, they are presented to me” someone asked, ‘how will our blessings be conveyed to you when you are no longer here?’ He replied, ‘Allah has forbidden the earth to destroy the bodies of prophets” (Abu Dawud). Here we are encouraged to send blessings (salawat) upon the beloved, especially on Fridays. It underscores the special connection we maintain with our prophet (peace be upon him). By sending blessings, we express love, respect and gratitude, and it’s a way of staying spiritually connected to him (peace be upon him).
Walk to the Masjid
Aus’ ibn Aus narrated that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever comes early to the Friday prayer walking, not mounted will be rewarded for every step taken, when he sits near the Imam and listens without fidgeting he gets the reward of a fasting person” (Abu Dawud). In this hadith, the Prophet (peace be upon him) emphasises the special rewards for attending Friday prayer with humility and focus. Coming early and walking to the mosque, reflects a person’s eagerness and effort to participate, and for each step taken, they are rewarded. Additionally, sitting close to the Imam, listening attentively, and avoiding distractions earns a reward comparable to that of a fasting person.
Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “On Friday the angels come and stand at the door of the masjid and register the first person who arrives in the mosque awarding him the reward of sacrificing a camel, the second worshiper is awarded the reward of a cow, the third is awarded a lamb, the fourth is awarded the reward of offering a hen, and the fifth rewarded for donating an egg. When the Imam begins his sermon, they close the register and listen to the sermon” (Bukhari).
The hour of accepted prayer
Abu Huraira narrates that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “There is an hour on Friday when Allah answers the prayer” (Bukhari). Abi Burda reported the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “The special hour on Friday is the time when the Imam sits on the pulpit until the prayer is over” (Muslim). In another hadith, Anas Ibn Malik reported the Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Search for the special hour on Friday from Asr till sunset, during this hour prayers are accepted” (Tirmidhi).
Here we’re taught that there is a special time on Fridays when Allah answers prayers. Different narrations identify this blessed time, some mention it is while the Imam sits on the pulpit during the Friday sermon, while others specify it as occurring between Asr and sunset. This should encourage us to increase our duas on Fridays, especially during these times, as they are moments when prayers are more likely to be accepted.
Conclusion
Friday is more than just the end of a busy workweek; it’s a divine gift for rest, reflection, and renewal. In a world that glorifies busyness and non-stop activity, embracing Friday as a day of worship and relaxation is a powerful act of faith and self-care. It’s a chance to reconnect with Allah, nurture relationships, and recharge physically and spiritually. By reclaiming Friday as a weekly Eid, we honour the rhythm of life that Allah has set for us. Finding the balance between work and rest, and ultimately cultivating a deeper sense of peace and purpose.
