Jum’ah (Friday) Prayers

Q. Are Jum’ah prayers fard, waajib, or sunnah?

A. Jum’ah prayers are fard and have more emphasis than Zuhr. There are no Zuhr prayers on Friday; Jum’ah replaces Zuhr.

Q. Are Jum’ah prayers fard on all Muslims?

A. Fard on free, adult, mentally fit, healthy, non-traveling men. Not obligatory for children, slaves, mad, sick, blind, maimed, musaafir, or women.

Q. Will prayers be valid if travelers, blind, maimed, or women join?

A. Yes, their presence is valid and they are free from Zuhr responsibility.

Q. What are the conditions for Jum’ah prayers?

A. Five conditions:

• Conducted in a city, big village, or populated place with cemetery/cantonment.
• Offered at Zuhr time.
• Khutbah delivered before the prayer.
• Offered in Jamaa’ah (congregation).
• Idhn-e-‘aam (open permission) granted.

Q. Masnoon method of delivering the khutbah?

A. Imaam sits on mimbar, mu’adhdhin calls adhaan. First khutbah, sit, second khutbah, then step down. Mu’adhdhin says takbeer, then Jamaa’ah prays behind Imaam.

Q. Where should the adhaan be said?

A. In front of the khateeb: near mimbar, second/third row, end of rows, or outside mosque. All allowed as long as in front of khateeb.

Q. Can khutbah be in English or other languages?

A. Makrooh; fard is fulfilled but blessings reduced. Only Arabic preferred.

Q. What is not allowed during khutbah?

A. Talking, offering sunnah/nafl, eating, drinking, replying, reciting Qur’aan. Anything disturbing khutbah is makrooh.

Q. Jamaa’ah condition for Jum’ah?

A. At least three men plus Imaam. Otherwise, Jum’ah is invalid.

Q. What is idhn-e-‘aam?

A. Permission for everyone to join. Not proper if only certain persons allowed.

Q. How many rak’aat in fard prayer of Jum’ah?

A. Two rak’aat, whether one joins from beginning, second rak’ah, or last qa’dah.