ʿUmar, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Friday prayer is two rakʿahs—complete, not shortened—according to the wording conveyed by your Prophet ﷺ.”

The reason is that Friday differs from Zuhr in many legal rulings; it is superior to Zuhr and more emphatically required. Stronger threats have been reported for neglecting it, it possesses conditions and distinctive features that Zuhr does not share, and Zuhr does not count for anyone on whom Friday is obligatory so long as its time remains. Only after the time of Jumuʿah elapses does Zuhr become a substitute.

Friday prayer is an individual duty upon every adult, free, resident Muslim male.
Abu Dawud transmitted with his chain from Tariq ibn Shihab—raised to the Prophet—that “Friday is a binding right upon every Muslim to be performed in congregation, except for four: a slave in bondage, a woman, a child, and a sick person.” Its transmitters are trustworthy, and more than one scholar has graded it authentic.

Al-Daraqutni narrated with his chain from Jabir that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day must attend the Friday prayer on Friday—except one who is ill, traveling, a child, or a slave.”