🕌 Jummah Guide
How to Pray Jummah
A complete guide to Friday prayer — who must attend, the Sunnah preparation, the khutbah, the 2 fard rak'ahs, and what to recite on the best day of the week.
"O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is best for you if only you knew."
— Quran 62:9 (Al-Jumu'ah)
Who Must Attend Jummah?
✓ Obligatory for
- ✓Adult Muslim men
- ✓Residents (not travellers)
- ✓Those who are healthy
- ✓Those who can safely reach the mosque
◦ Exempt (encouraged to attend)
- ◦Women (Jummah is valid but not obligatory)
- ◦Travellers (pray Dhuhr instead)
- ◦The ill or those who would miss work without serious hardship
- ◦Those in areas without a mosque within reasonable distance
Sunnah Acts of Friday
Recommended acts before and after Jummah prayer
- 🚿
Perform Ghusl (ritual bath)
It is Sunnah to perform a full Ghusl on Friday morning before Jummah. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The Friday bath is obligatory on every adult Muslim.' (Bukhari, Muslim)
- ✂️
Cut nails, use Miswak, apply perfume
It is Sunnah to trim nails, clean teeth with a Miswak, and apply perfume (for men). Dress in your best clothes, preferably white.
- 📖
Recite Surah al-Kahf (Chapter 18)
'Whoever reads Surah al-Kahf on the night of Friday or Friday itself, Allah will provide a light for him between him and the Ancient House (Ka'bah).' (Al-Bayhaqi). This is one of the most emphasised Sunnahs of Friday.
- 🕌
Go to the mosque early
Arrive before the Adhan. The earlier you arrive, the greater the reward. The Prophet ﷺ described the reward decreasing in steps for those who arrive later.
- 🤲
Send abundant Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ
'Send Salawat upon me abundantly on Fridays, for your Salawat are presented to me.' (Abu Dawud, authenticated). Recite: Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammadin wa-ali Muhammad.
How Jummah Prayer Works
The structure of Friday prayer at the mosque
- 1
Sunnah prayers before the Khutbah
Before the Imam begins the Khutbah, pray 2 rak'ahs of 'Tahiyyat al-Masjid' (greeting the mosque prayer). According to the Hanafi school, 4 rak'ahs of Sunnah Mu'akkadah are also prayed before the Khutbah.
- 2
Adhan is called — Imam takes the minbar
When the Imam ascends the minbar (pulpit), sit down, face the Imam, and listen. Do not pray Sunnah prayers once the Khutbah has begun.
- 3
First Khutbah (sermon)
Listen attentively and in silence. Talking, even reminding someone to be quiet, is forbidden during the Khutbah. Hadith: 'If you say to your companion while the Imam is delivering the Khutbah: Be quiet, you have made a vain act.' (Bukhari, Muslim).
- 4
Imam sits briefly — Second Khutbah
After the first Khutbah, the Imam sits briefly, then stands and delivers the second Khutbah, typically shorter. Continue listening in silence.
- 5
Iqamah — 2 fard rak'ahs of Jummah
The Iqamah is called. The Imam leads the congregation in 2 fard rak'ahs. The Imam recites Surah al-Fatihah and another surah aloud in both rak'ahs. Follow the Imam as in any congregational prayer.
- 6
Sunnah prayers after Jummah
After the fard rak'ahs, pray 4 rak'ahs of Sunnah (2+2 or 4 together — scholars differ). According to one hadith, praying 6 rak'ahs after Jummah equals 12 years of worship. (Ibn Majah).
Jummah Rak'ah Summary
| Prayer stage | Rak'ahs | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Before Khutbah (Hanafi) | 4 | Sunnah Mu'akkadah |
| Tahiyyat al-Masjid | 2 | Sunnah (recommended) |
| Jummah Fard (after Khutbah) | 2 | Fard (obligatory) |
| After Jummah (1st set) | 4 | Sunnah Mu'akkadah |
| After Jummah (2nd set) | 2 | Sunnah |
Jummah FAQs
How many rak'ahs is Jummah prayer?
Is Jummah prayer compulsory?
What time is Jummah prayer in the UK?
Do you pray Dhuhr after Jummah?
What are the Sunnah prayers on Friday?
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