11 Etiquettes of Jumuah
The Friday prayer (ṣalat al-Jumuʿah) is an obligation upon Muslim men, as well as an opportunity for huge reward. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, gave us guidance on how to maximize the reward as well remain focused and have khushoo (concentration and tranquilty).
Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an:
“O you who believe! When the call for jumu’ah salaat is made, hasten towards the remembrance of Allah and leave all transactions. This is best for you if only you know.” (62:9)
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Jumu’ah (Friday prayer) is a duty binding upon every Muslim in the congregation, except four: a slave, a woman, a child, or a sick person.” (Abu Dawood)
Although it’s not an obligation for a woman, if she attends Jumuah she’s rewarded.
1. Ghusl and personal hygiene
‘Abdullah bin Umar narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
“Anyone of you attending the Friday prayers should take a bath.” (Bukhari)
In addition, the sunnah is to cut nails, wear good clothes, (maintain modesty in attire) and for men to wear perfume.
Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
“Verily, Allah has made this day of Friday a celebration for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday prayer, let him bathe himself, apply perfume if he has it, and use the toothstick.” (Ibn Majah)
2. Walk to the Masjid
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,
“Whoever purifies himself with ablution in his house, then he walks to a house among the houses of Allah to fulfill an obligation among the obligations of Allah, one step of his will expiate his sins and another step will raise his status.” (Sahih Muslim)
3. Arrive early for Jumuʿah
Arrive at the mosque on time, ideally, well before the khutbah begins. The Prophet, peace be upon him, praised those who came early for Friday prayer. In a well-known hadith, he said:
“When Friday comes, the angels sit at the doors of the mosques and record the people in order of their arrival. The one who comes early is like one who offers a camel in sacrifice, then like one who offers a cow, then a ram, then a chicken, then an egg. When the imam comes out (to deliver the khutbah), the angels close their books and listen to the reminder.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Sitting in the front row is full of blessings. There are several hadiths about the virtue of the first row, such as Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“If the people knew what (reward) there is in the call and the first row, and there was no other way to settle the matter than drawing lots, they would draw lots for it.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
When arriving early to the mosque, while waiting for the khutbah to begin, it is recommended to engage in quiet remembrance, including salawat, as a means of drawing closer to Allah and His Messenger, may God bless him and grant him peace.
4. Enter calmly
The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade people from stepping over worshipers’ shoulders when trying to reach the front rows; and forbade us from interrupting prayers in any form. Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:
“I heard Allah’s Messenger saying, “If the prayer started do not run for it but just walk for it calmly and pray whatever you get, and complete whatever is missed.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Therefore if you are running late do NOT rush and create distraction for others by running into the prayer.
5. Pray 2 rakahs on arrival
When you arrive, it is also recommended to begin with Tahyiyyat al-Masjid, two units of voluntary prayer performed as a greeting to the mosque.
This can be combined with the 2 or 4 rakahs of sunnah that precede the Jumuah salah.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“When one of you enters the mosque, he should not sit down until he has prayed two rakʿahs.” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
In another hadith, Jabir bin ‘Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:
A person entered the mosque while the Prophet was delivering the khutbah on a Friday. The Prophet said to him, “Have you prayed?” The man replied in the negative. The Prophet said, “Get up and pray two Rakaat.”
It’s best to come early and pray 2 rakaat allowing you to enter a state of worship and attentiveness.
This applies even if the khutbah has already started. If you arrive and the khutbah has started, you may still quietly pray two short rakʿahs before sitting. Scholars have explained that this act of respect does not contradict the etiquette of listening to the khutbah, as long as it is done quickly and without distraction.
6. Do not speak during the khutbah
The khutbah (sermon) is an integral part of Jumuʿah. The Prophet, peace be upon him, emphasized this clearly. He said:
“If someone says to his companion, ‘Be quiet!’ While the imam is giving the khutbah, then he has engaged in idle talk (laghw), and whoever engages in idle talk, his Jumuʿah is void.” (Sahih Muslim)
In another narration by Abdurrazaq in Al-Musannaf: whoever said Shush to his friend…..).
This means that even telling someone else to be quiet during the khutbah is itself a disruption. Conversations, even if they seem brief or harmless, are not permitted once the sermon has begun.
If someone greets you with salām during the khutbah, you should not reply verbally. You may raise your hand slightly as an acknowledgment, but you should not reply.
The khutbah is an integral part of Jumuah and the reason why the salah is shortened to 2 rakahs.
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said,
“If you say to your companion on Friday: ‘Listen,’ while the imam is delivering the sermon, then you have engaged in idle talk.”
“When the Imam is delivering the khutbah, and you ask your companion to keep quiet and listen, then no doubt you have done an evil act.” (Bukhari)
7. Listen attentively
Concentrate on the message of the khutbah – as this is the entire purpose of the gathering. Any distraction, such as checking your phone, can nullify your prayer. Remember that the khutbah is part of the prayer and so give it the same respect as your conversation with Allah.
8. Mobile phones and distractions during prayer
Phones should be on silent but if your phone rings during the prayer, you should silence it. Many people hesitate to do so, thinking it may invalidate their prayer. However, making a small movement to turn off or silence your phone does not nullify the salah. It is not considered excessive movement. The longer the phone rings the more it disturbs the congregation.
9. Meet and Greet
Show brotherly love towards one another. Smiling is a charity.
10. Recite Surat Al-Kahf
It is very rewarding to recite Surat Al-Kahf on Fridays before the salah, but it can be recited any time between Maghrib on Thursday until Maghrib on Friday. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,
“Whoever reads Surat Al-Kahf on Fridays, there will be a bright light to shine for him between the two Fridays.” (Bayhaqi)
11. Send Salawat upon the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him
Among the most virtuous actions on Jumuʿah is to recite salawat (also known as durood ) upon the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. This carries immense reward. Allah commands in the Qur’an:
Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O you who have believed, send blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.
“Indeed, Allah and His angels send blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe, send blessings upon him and peace abundantly.” (Surah al-Aḥzāb, 33:56)
The Prophet ﷺ also said:
“Among the best of your days is Friday. So increase in sending blessings upon me on that day, for your blessings are presented to me.” (Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
Sending salawat can be done at any time on Jumuʿah, before the khutbah , after the prayer, and even throughout the day.
There is no fixed formula, but one of the most common and rewarding is:
O God, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as You blessed Abraham and the family of Abraham. You are indeed Praiseworthy and Glorious.
Allāhumma ṣalli ʿalā Muḥammad, wa ʿalā āli Muḥammad, kamā ṣallayta ʿalā Ibrāhīm, wa ʿalā āli Ibrāhīm, innaka Ḥamīdun Majīd
O Allah, send blessings upon Muhammad and upon the family of Muhammad, just as You sent blessings upon Ibrahim and upon the family of Ibrahim. Indeed, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.
12 Etiquettes of Jumu’ah
1. Perform ghusl, trim nails, wear clean clothes, and apply perfume (for men).
2. Dress modestly and respectfully.
3. Walk to the mosque if possible.
4. Arrive early and sit in the front row if available.
5. Enter calmly – avoid stepping over people or causing disturbance.
6. Pray 2 rak‘ahs to greet the mosque.
7. Do not speak during the khutbah – not even to say “shhh”. Do not respond to greetings (salaam) during the khutbah.
8. Listen attentively and respectfully to the khutbah. Switch off your phone or put it on silent. If it rings during the salah, SWITCH IT OFF.
9. Recite Surah Al-Kahf (on Friday).
10. Send salawat (salutations) upon the Prophet ﷺ.
11. Be friendly. Smile. Make Jumu’ah beautiful.