(9–11) “O you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is better for you, if only you knew. When the prayer has concluded, disperse throughout the land and seek Allah’s bounty, and remember Allah often so that you may prosper. Yet when they see trade or diversion, they rush toward it and leave you standing. Say, ‘What is with Allah is better than diversion and trade, and Allah is the best of providers.’”
Allah Most High commands His believing servants to attend the Friday prayer and proceed to it promptly from the moment the call is made. Here, “hasten” means to proceed promptly, give the prayer due attention, and make it one’s foremost concern. It does not mean running, which has been forbidden when going to prayer. His words, “and leave off trade,” mean: cease trading when the call to prayer is made and proceed to the prayer.
“That is better for you” than occupying yourselves with trade and missing the obligatory prayer, which is among the most emphatic obligations.
“If only you knew” that what is with Allah is better and more lasting, and that anyone who prefers this world to religion has suffered true loss precisely where he thought he was making a profit. This command to leave trade applies only for the duration of the prayer.
“When the prayer has concluded, disperse throughout the land” in pursuit of earnings and trade. Since involvement in trade is liable to make one heedless of remembering Allah, Allah commanded that He be remembered often, saying, “and remember Allah often”—whether standing, sitting, or lying on your sides—“so that you may prosper.” Remembering Allah often is among the greatest causes of prosperity.
“Yet when they see trade or diversion, they rush toward it”; that is, they left the mosque out of eagerness for that diversion and [that] trade, abandoning what was good, “and leave you standing” as you addressed the people. This took place [on] a Friday while the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—was delivering the sermon. A caravan carrying merchandise arrived in Medina, and when the people heard of it while they were in the mosque, they dispersed from the mosque and left the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—delivering the sermon. They hastened unduly toward something that did not warrant such haste and failed to observe proper decorum. “Say, ‘What is with Allah’” of reward and recompense is for those who hold fast to what is good and patiently devote themselves to worshipping Allah.
It is “better than diversion and trade,” which, even if it fulfills some desired ends, yields only something meager and marred by troubles while causing one to miss the good of the Hereafter. Patient perseverance in obeying Allah does not cause one to lose provision, for Allah is the best of providers. Whoever fears Allah, He will provide for him from where he does not expect.
These verses contain numerous benefits:
Among them is that the Friday prayer is obligatory upon all believers, who must hasten to it, proceed promptly, and give it due attention.
Among them is that both sermons on Friday are obligatory (1) and must be attended, because “remembrance” here is explained as the two sermons, and Allah commanded people to proceed and hasten to it.
Among them is that the call to Friday prayer is prescribed and commanded.
Among them is the prohibition of buying and selling after ⦗864⦘ the call to Friday prayer, and that doing so is unlawful. This is only because it causes an obligation to be missed and distracts from it. This indicates that any matter—even if originally permissible—becomes impermissible in circumstances where it results in neglecting an obligation.
Among them is the command to attend both Friday sermons (2) and the condemnation of those who do not attend them. A necessary consequence of this is listening attentively to both.
Among them is that when a servant turns to worship Allah while his own impulses invite him toward diversion, [trade], and desires, he should remind himself of the good that is with Allah and of what awaits those who prefer His pleasure to their own desires.
The exegesis of Surah al-Jumuah is complete. To Allah belong all praise and acclaim. (3)
Exegesis of Surah al-Munāfiqūn (4)
Medinan.