Chapter: The excellence of Friday, the obligation of attending it, the recommendation to bathe for it, apply perfume, go early, make supplication on that day, invoke blessings upon the Prophet ﷺ, and an explanation of the hour in which prayers are answered …
Allah the Exalted says: “Then, when the prayer is finished, disperse throughout the land, seek the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often so that you may prosper.”
[Commentary]
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—states in his book Riyad al-Salihin: “Chapter on the merit of Friday,” and he lists several of its distinctive features. Friday is the day that falls between Thursday and Saturday. It is the day singled out for this community, whereas Allah led the Jews and Christians away from it: the Jews were given Saturday, the Christians Sunday. Thus they follow us, even though they preceded us in time. This is one of the special favors granted to this ummah, and all praise belongs to Allah. Friday is the day of particular distinctions, whereas Saturday and Sunday have none. Because the Jews and Christians missed the day of Friday, it became ours—praise and thanks be to Allah.
Friday possesses many unique qualities; one of the best who enumerated them is Ibn al-Qayyim—may Allah have mercy on him—in Zad al-Ma‘ad. Whoever wishes may consult that work, for it is thorough and sufficient.
The author—may Allah have mercy on him—begins this chapter with the words of Allah the Exalted: “Then, when the prayer is finished, disperse throughout the land, seek the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often so that you may prosper.” This follows the previous verse: “O you who believe, when the call is made for the prayer on the day of Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade; that is better for you, if only you knew. Then, when the prayer is finished …”
Allah addresses the believers, commanding them to abandon trade when the call to prayer is made on Friday. What is meant is the second call, given after the imam has arrived. As for the first call, when the population of Madinah grew large, ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan—may Allah be pleased with him—ordered an earlier adhan so that people could prepare to attend. This action is part of the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliph ‘Uthman, whose practice we have been instructed to follow, as the Prophet ﷺ said: “Hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me.” Anyone who claims that this is an innovation has gone astray, has disparaged the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—and has maligned that rightly guided caliph. We say to such a person: You are the innovator for alleging that this is an innovation. How could it be so when the Messenger ﷺ himself called it a Sunnah—the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after him?
Some people are shallow-minded, even if they are advanced in years. How can you declare the Companions—may Allah be pleased with them—under the leadership of ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan misguided, while claiming that you alone follow the Sunnah? In reality, you are the one following innovation by making such a claim.
The Almighty says: “O you who believe, when the call is made for the prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance…"