Juz 28: Al-Mujādilah to At-Taḥrīm
Section 14 of 18 · Tafsir of the Qur’an · Mufti Abdul Rahman Mangera
14. The Obligation of Friday Prayer | Verses: Al-Jumu'ah 62:9-11
The concluding verses of Surah Al-Jumu'ah contain one of Islam's most important communal obligations – the Friday prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah). After addressing the relationship between the Jews and their scripture, Allah (swt) shifts to instructing the believers about a distinctive aspect of Islamic worship that differentiates it from both Judaism and Christianity:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِيَ لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“O you who believe, when the call for prayer is proclaimed on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave all trading. That is better for you, if you know.”
This verse establishes the Friday prayer as a distinctive Islamic institution. When the call (adhan) for Jumu'ah prayer is given, believers must hasten to the mosque and immediately cease all business activities. This ruling specifically refers to the second adhan of Jumu'ah, as the practice evolved to include two calls – the first to notify people to prepare and the second (during the Prophet's time, the only adhan) signaling the actual commencement of prayer.
The Islamic approach to Friday as a day of worship differs significantly from Jewish and Christian practices. While Jews observe Sabbath on Saturday with complete prohibition of work, and Christians observe Sunday similarly, Islam takes a middle path. Muslims are required to suspend business only during the time of the Jumu'ah prayer itself. Once the prayer is completed, normal activities may resume, as stated in verse 10:
فَإِذَا قُضِيَتِ الصَّلَاةُ فَانتَشِرُوا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَابْتَغُوا مِن فَضْلِ اللَّهِ وَاذْكُرُوا اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا لَّعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
“Then once the prayer is over, disperse in the land, and seek the grace of Allah, and remember Allah much, so that you may be successful.”
This verse contains a beautiful balance between spiritual and worldly obligations. After fulfilling the obligation of prayer, Muslims are encouraged to "disperse in the land," seeking Allah's bounty through permissible work and trade. Many scholars interpret "seeking Allah's grace" (فَضْلِ اللَّهِ) as referring to earning a livelihood. This confirms that Friday is not necessarily a complete day of rest in Islam; rather, work is suspended only for the prayer and then may resume.
In Muslim communities throughout history, markets and bazaars typically close before Jumu'ah prayer and reopen afterward. This practice implements the Quranic injunction perfectly – balancing religious obligation with economic activity.
The surah concludes with an incident that occurred during the Prophet's time as a lesson for future generations:
وَإِذَا رَأَ