SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON

by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
November 21^st, 2003

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Significance of Friday in Islam

Today’s Friday Sermon centred on the significance and the blessings of Friday in Islam. Huzur^aba recited verses 10 & 11 of Surah Al Jumu’ah and began by commenting on the rather unfortunate stance taken by the Muslim world in general about the last Friday of the month of Ramadan by singling it out for attendance at the mosque and for associating greater importance to it. Huzur^aba said Allah’s command is for all Fridays to be special and exclusive days for Muslims and the Holy Prophet did not differentiate the last Friday of Ramadan from all other Fridays in any way at all.

With reference to ahadith Huzur^aba elucidated the concept of Friday in Islam.

The Holy Prophet enjoined that in order to avoid major sins there is atonement between the timings of the five daily prayers, as well as from one Friday to the next Friday and from one Ramadan to the next. He also admonished that Friday is the best among all days and during this day there is a moment when a Muslim is granted whatever he/she seeks from Allah and that on Friday each mosque has angels standing by on its door who keep a systematic account of those who arrive first and those whose arrival is subsequent and gradual, he also enjoined that on the Day of Judgment those closest to him will be those who were most regular in attending the Friday Prayers. The Holy Prophet counselled to try and sit nearer to the Imam during Friday Prayers and enjoined that the congregational Friday Prayer is obligatory on all Muslims except slaves, women, children and the sick. Regarding the significance of listening to the Sermon the Holy Prophet admonished that during the Sermon it is a mistaken gesture to speak up even if to quieten the next person.

Huzur^aba commented that nowhere in the traditions of the Holy Prophet do we get the impression that the last Friday of Ramadan is exclusive to seeking forgiveness.

Huzur^aba said that the Holy Prophet enjoined that dua (prayer) indeed is worship in itself and that our Lord declares that He listens to prayers and that He is displeased when man does not seek from Him. One should seek all one’s needs from Allah down to the lace of one’s shoe. The Holy Prophet taught us that Allah loves that prayer most which is made seeking security from Him.

Huzur^aba said that the Holy Prophet tried every which way to make us inclined towards dua. It is now incumbent upon all of us to most sincerely pray to Allah during these last few days of Ramadan. To elucidate the desirability of dua (prayer) further Huzur^aba read a few powerfully eloquent passages from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He said that prosperity comes from sincere prayers and not wealth and that therein indeed is true gratification. He said prayer has a magnetism about it, through it one is constantly drawn to Allah, with its acceptance one’s faith is strengthened and it facilitates attaining spiritual discernment (ma’arifat). It is that elixir that transforms dust into gold!

In conclusion Huzur^aba enjoined all Ahmadis to pray most humbly and most fervently to Allah in the remaining days of Ramadan, he said we ought to liven our nights with prayers seeking Allah’s grace and mercy. He enjoined to pray to Allah invoking the honour of His promise in the Holy Quran (2:187) that He listens to those who call Him.