The Loss Incurred by Those Who Do Not Hasten to the Mosque for Friday Prayers

Muslims are strongly encouraged to arrive early before the Friday prayer at the mosque. This is because failing to hasten to the mosque results in late arrival for Friday prayers, and could even lead to missing the prayer entirely.

A hadith states: “Let those who are accustomed to abandoning Friday prayers cease their behaviour, or Allah will seal their hearts, and they will surely be counted among the heedless.” (Narrated by Muslim)

Another hadith states: “Whoever leaves the Friday prayer three times out of negligence towards it, Allah will seal his heart.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud)

Sheikh Muhammad Shiddiq Al Minsyawi, in his book entitled “Rajin Shalat tapi Masih Keliru” (Diligent in Prayer but Still Mistaken), writes that arriving late at the mosque on Friday has now become a habit for some people. In fact, some only arrive when the imam has already ascended the pulpit, while others arrive when the iqamah has already been called.

Yet hastening to the mosque was the habit of the pious predecessors (salaf), as it brings many virtues and rewards.

“Whoever performs the ritual bath on Friday, cleanses himself, hastens and sets out early to the mosque, walks and does not ride, draws near to the imam, listens to the sermon, and does not engage in idle talk, then for every step he takes he will receive the reward of a year’s deeds, both its fasting and its prayer.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi)

Another hadith states: “Whoever goes to Friday prayer in the first hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a camel. Whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a cow. Whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he has sacrificed a horned ram. Whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he has offered a chicken. Whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he has offered an egg. When the imam comes out, the records of deeds are closed, the recording pens are lifted, and the angels gather at the pulpit to listen to the remembrance. Whoever comes after that has come only to fulfil the obligation of prayer and receives none of the virtue.” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

The majority of scholars said: “It is recommended to hasten to attend Friday prayer at the beginning of the day. This was stated by Imam Shafi’i and Ibn Habib Al Maliki.”