IT is obligatory to observe the Jum’ah prayer as enjoined in the opening verse. The importance of attending this glorious occasion cannot be over emphasized because of its numerous virtues. Apart from the fact that it attends to our spiritual needs, our educational standard is further boosted by the sermon.

Our moral status gets elevated and our social challenges are addressed. The khutbah (sermon) which forms about half of the Jumu’ah prayer is an integral part of the service which the imam prepares to take care of in the aforementioned issues. Jumu’ah (Friday) is the day Almighty created our great ancestor - Prophet Adam (May Allah’s blessing be upon him).

The Holy Prophet (SAW) was reported by Abu Hurairah as saying: the best day in which the sun rises (on daily basis) is Jumu’ah, on this day Adam was created; on the same day (Jumu’ah) was made to enter Al-jannah. He was also sent out of Al-jannah on the day of Jumu’ah. The day of judgement  shell not come to pass but it be on Friday Jumu’ah (Muslim). Further on the virtues of this glorious day, the Holy Prophet (saw) said, “whosoever takes its (ritual bath) on Friday, then matches gently to the mosque for prayers and observes as many superogatory prayers as destined for him, then remains silent (mute) while the sermon goes on till the Imam ends the khutbah and then observes the obligatory prayer with the Imam, will have his previous sins forgiven (Muslim). The hadith relates that the Friday prayer is an atonement for our sins much as we abstain from the major ones.

Buttressing the essence of the obligatory nature of the Jumu’ah prayer, the best of mankind was reported by Abu Usamah bin zayd that “whosoever voluntarily omits three consecutive Jumu’ah prayers without any (genuine excuse) shall have his name written among the hypocrites (Munafiqun).

Since Jumu’ah prayer is a large gathering when compared with the local five daily salawat, a Muslim is expected to take a birth, perfume himself (male only),adorn himself in a beautiful attaire then go out early enough to the mosque to present himself for the service of his magnificent lord.

Saliman Al-Farsi narrated that the Holy Prophet said: “No man takes bath on Friday, cleans himself up, rub his body with oil, perfumes himself then moves to the mosque before noon never separates between two men (already seated) then prays whatever has been destined for him (nawafil) listens to the khutubah but Allah forgives him what is between that Friday and the next. (Al-bukhari and Ahmad). Part of the etiquette of the Friday prayer is to arrive in the mosque as early as possible to earn extra reward from Allah. The earliest attendant shall be given the extra reward of giving a camel in charity, while those who follow them shall earn the reward of those who gave a cow in charity, then a goat for those who follow them and final the reward of those who give an egg in charity. When the Imam ascends the minbar, this extra reward closes according to the saying of our noble Prophet.

It is highly discouraging for any body, no matter how highly placed, to disturb those already seated listening to whatever form, the worst being stepping over their shoulders. This act is frowned at and highly odious. The most unfortunate thing is that many muslims fail to heed this call, thus violating the rules every Friday by taking off very late when the Imam is rounding off the khutbah. There is the need for us to turn a new leaf. May Allah (SWT) forgive us all.

It is also highly discouraging to talk to anybody or verbally respond to the Imam’s questioning during the cause of the khutbah. The Holy Prophet (SAW) forbids speaking to your neighbour or asking him to keep quiet even if he engages in such act. “saying keep quiet to a discussant in the process of khutbah is a vain talk.”