the Night of Decree, whereas for the Muslim community the Night of Decree is superior to the night of the Night Journey. Thus, the former night is better for the community, while the night of the Night Journey is better for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
If it is asked, “Which is better: Friday or the Day of Arafah?” (1), Ibn Hibbān narrated in his Sahīh (2), on the authority of Abū Hurayrah, that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The sun (3) does not rise on any day better than Friday.” It also contains the hadith of Tamīm (4) ibn Aws: “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday” (5).
The answer is that some scholars have (6) held Friday to be superior to the Day of Arafah, citing this hadith as evidence. Al-Qādī Abū Ya'lā related a report from Ahmad stating that the night of
(1) Qāf reads: “If it is asked: Which of the two days is better … Arafah? The answer is: Friday.”
(2) No. 2770. Also reported by Ahmad (9896) and al-Nasā’ī in al-Kubrā (11907, 11920–11922). Graded authentic by Ibn Khuzayma (1727) and Ibn Hibbān.
(3) Printed editions add “nor does it set” after this phrase, as in Sahīh Ibn Hibbān.
(4) This is the reading in all the manuscript sources. The correct name is “Aws ibn Aws,” as in the references tracing the hadith’s sources and in Jalā’ al-Afhām (p. 77).
(5) The wording quoted belongs to the hadith of Abū Hurayra, reported by Muslim (854). Ibn Hibbān (2772) also reports it as part of a lengthy hadith. See also Sahīh Ibn Khuzayma (1729).
As for the hadith of Aws ibn Aws, Ibn Hibbān (910) reports it with the wording: “Among the best of your days is Friday.” It is also reported by Ibn Abī Shayba (8789), al-Dārimī (1613), Abū Dāwūd (1047, 1531), Ibn Mājah (1085, 1636), and al-Nasā’ī (1374). Graded authentic by Ibn Khuzayma (1733) and Ibn Hibbān.
(6) Qāf reads “And [some scholars] have held” in place of “The answer is: [some scholars] have held.”