On whom is Jumu'ah obligatory, and how many rak'ahs is it?
The question as asked, details removedWho must attend the Friday prayer, and what are its rak'ahs?More
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بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِكِ الْوَهَّابِ اَللّٰهُمَّ هِدَايَةَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ
1Short answer
Jumu'ah is fard on every adult, sane, healthy, resident Muslim man in a town or city. It is 2 fard rak'ahs in congregation after the khutbah, in place of Zuhr. Women, travellers and the sick are not obliged; if they don't attend, they pray Zuhr.
2Detailed answer
Jumu'ah is fard on a man who is Muslim, adult, sane, free, healthy, not travelling, and able to reach it, where it is held in a town or city.
Its rak'ahs:
- 4 sunnah muakkadah before the khutbah.
- The khutbah, which must be listened to in silence.
- 2 fard rak'ahs in congregation.
- 4 sunnah muakkadah after it, and many also pray 2 more.
Jumu'ah replaces Zuhr, so whoever prays Jumu'ah does not pray Zuhr. Women, travellers, the sick and others who are excused do not have to attend; they pray the normal 4 rak'ahs of Zuhr at home, though if they do attend, their Jumu'ah is valid. Missing Jumu'ah without excuse is a serious sin.
3Evidence and sources
- Qur'an, Al-Jumu'ah 62:9
- Sunan Abi Dawud, Book of Prayer
- Bahar-e-Shariat, chapter on Jumu'ah
Arabic texts, translations and how the ruling was derived
يا أيها الذين آمنوا إذا نودي للصلاة من يوم الجمعة فاسعوا إلى ذكر الله وذروا البيع
Meaning: O you who believe, when the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade.
الجمعة حق واجب على كل مسلم في جماعة إلا أربعة: عبد مملوك، أو امرأة، أو صبي، أو مريض
Meaning: Jumu'ah in congregation is a binding duty on every Muslim except four: a slave, a woman, a child, or a sick person.
The verse makes attendance obligatory and the hadith names who is excused.
وَاللهُ أَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُهُ أَعْلَمُ صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَآلِهِ وَسَلَّمَ