has been decreed for him, then listens silently until the imam finishes his sermon, and then prays with him, will be forgiven his sins between that Friday and the next, with three additional days.” (1)
The hadith of Nubaysha al-Hudhalī states: “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 come out, he sits, 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.” (2)
Such was the practice of the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them (3). Ibn al-Mundhir said (4): Reports have reached us that Ibn ‘Umar used to pray twelve units before Friday prayer, and that Ibn ‘Abbās used to pray eight units.
This demonstrates that their prayers were unrestricted voluntary prayers, which is why the number of units reported from them varied. Al-Tirmidhī said in al-Jāmi‘ (5): It is reported that Ibn Mas‘ūd used to pray four units before Friday prayer and four afterward. This was also the view adopted by Ibn al-Mubārak and al-Thawrī.