Are Friday Prayers Compulsory?

Friday prayer or Jummah ist one of the most important prayers in the week for muslims all over the world. The Friday sermon is called Khutba. Lot of muslims ask themselves if Friday prayer is compulsory, and should it always be in a mosque instead of praying it alone at home.

Friday prayer is compulsory for male Muslims  on Friday and it is a condition for its validity in gathering. There is no proof that a certain number is required for its validity, so performing it with three or more is sufficient for its validity. It is not permissible for the one who is obligated to pray it separately at noon because the number is less than forty, according to the correct view of the scholars’ statements

Allah says in Surah Al Jumuah verse 9: “O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday, then proceed ˹diligently˺ to the remembrance of Allah and leave off ˹your˺ business. That is best for you, if only you knew.”

Are Friday prayers compulsory for women?

Friday prayer is not obligatory for women, in contrast, it is obligatory for men, and congregation is also not obligatory for women as it is obligatory for men.

In the Sunnah, it is preferable for women to pray Jummah and other prayers of the other days at home, but if her Jummah prayer is with enough people so that she can pray in the mosque, women can perform the Friday prayer in the mosque.

The proof of this is the hadith of Tariq bin Shihab, may God bless him, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

(Jumu’ah is a right and duty for every Muslim in a congregation except for four: a slave, a woman, a boy or a sick person) Transmitted by Abu Dawud.

Can I pray to Jummah at home alone?

The Friday prayer, which is considered one of the distinguishing marks of Islam, is a fundamental worship. Performing this prayer in private homes is not allowed. A prayer performed at home on Friday at noon will not be accepted as praying Jummah if there is no valid excuse that prevents you from performing the prayer in the mosque.

It is necessary to be in the same place as the Imam (inside the mosque or outside in a related row) for those who adhere to congregational prayers, including the Friday prayer, it is not permitted to follow the prayers performed elsewhere and broadcasted via television, internet, etc. For this reason, if someone is in a place other than the place where the Imam is performing the prayer (inside the mosque or outside in a linked row), that prayer will not be valid.

What happens if you miss 3 Friday prayers?

Whoever neglects this prayer 3 times in a row without excuse is threatened with punishment. The Prophet peace be upon him said:

Let the people cease to miss the Friday prayer lest Allah seal their hearts and they be among the unconscious. “(Muslim, Ahmad)

Whoever neglects the Friday prayer out of negligence three times in a row, Allah will put a seal on his heart.” (Abû Dâwûd,Nasâ’î and Ahmad) 

Since you have committed this negligence, you should absolutely repent and know that the mercy of Allah, the Almighty, is immense, for He says (meaning of the verse):

And I am Great Forgiving to him who repents, believes, does good deeds, and then puts himself on the right path” (Quran 20/82).

You should also multiply your pious deeds, including memorizing the Qur’an, for good deeds dispel bad ones, and Allah, the Almighty, promises the one whose repentance is sincere to accept it and replace his bad deeds with good ones.

Why is jummah more important than daily prayers?

Jummah is considered the most important day for Muslims around the world. Muslim men are required to perform the Jummah prayer in mosques unless there is a relevant excuse for it. There are many reasons why Jummah is more important than other prayers: 

  • Allah the Mighty and Majestic has chosen Friday to be the most important day for Him and has placed in it major events and great benefits, hence the obligation for Muslims to revere this day and make it one of the feast days in which Allah has established rites that are not provided for in other days.
  • The Friday prayer has acquired a special merit and great virtue because of the blessing inherent in this great day. Ibn al-Quayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) says: Among the obligatory prayers, the Friday prayer has some special features that are reserved for it, such as the gathering of people, the number of participants, the consideration of permanent residence as a condition (of eligibility) and the recitation of the prayer out loud.
  • One of the particularities that the Prophetic Sunnah gives to the Friday prayer is the insistence on bathing and the use of perfume. The Sunnah also exhorts one to go early and mentions a reward for those who go on foot.
  • The direct cause of the importance of Friday lies in the divine choice, in the attribution by Allah of virtues and merits to this prayer and to the day that hosts it. This is one of the manifestations of the sovereignty of Allah the Mighty and Majestic who reserves the exclusive right to give importance to His creatures that please Him and chooses times and places. Indeed, He does what He wants on the basis of a wisdom of which He reserves the knowledge.

Check out how to prayer Jummah if you are traveling