Eighteenth: It is a day on which sins are expiated. Imam Ahmad related in his Musnad (1) from Salmān, who said: The Prophet (2), peace and blessings be upon him, said to me:
“Do you know what Friday is?”
I replied: “It is the day on which Allah reunited your father.”
He said: “But I know what Friday is. Whenever a man purifies himself thoroughly, then attends the Friday prayer and listens silently until the imam finishes his prayer = this serves as expiation for his sins between that Friday and the following Friday, provided he avoids killing.”
Also in the Musnad (3), ‘Atā’ al-Khurāsānī related from Nubaysha al-Hudhalī that he used to report from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him:
“When a Muslim bathes on Friday and then comes to the mosque without harming anyone, if the imam has not yet come out, he prays as much as he wishes. If the imam has already come out, he sits down, listens attentively and remains silent until the imam finishes his Friday prayer and sermon = if all his sins are not forgiven on that Friday, it will at least serve as expiation until the following Friday.”
In Sahīh al-Bukhārī (4), Salmān reported that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“Whenever a man bathes on Friday, cleanses himself as thoroughly as he can, anoints himself with his oil or applies some of his household’s perfume, then goes out without separating two people, prays whatever has been ordained for him, and listens silently when the imam speaks = his sins between that Friday and the other Friday are forgiven.”