The Arabic word "jumu'ah" means gathering in one place, coming together, standing in rows. The two-rak'ah obligatory prayer offered in rows in the mosque on Friday in place of the four rak'ahs of Zuhr is called Salat al-Jumu'ah, or Jumma prayer, in Islamic terms. It is a very important act of worship.

The Qur'an has a separate surah named Al-Jumu'ah, or Jumma (the gathering), the 62nd surah. Describing the importance of Jumma prayer, Allah says in it: "O you who believe! When the call is made for prayer on the day of Jumu'ah, hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off trade. That is best for you, if you only knew." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah)

That is, after the azan for Jumma prayer, Allah has ordered believers to suspend all worldly business and stand in rows in the mosque for prayer. The very next verse says: "Then, when the prayer is ended, disperse through the land and seek the bounty of Allah, and remember Allah often, so that you may succeed." (Surah Al-Jumu'ah, verse 10) In other words, having fulfilled their duty to Allah and earned wealth for the Hereafter, believers are told to spread out again in search of worldly means and their daily living.

Many hadith have been narrated about Friday and its acts of worship; no other single day or its prayer has so many narrations. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that the Messenger (PBUH) said: "The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday. On this day Adam (AS) was created, on this day he was admitted to Paradise, and on this day he was expelled from it." (Sahih Muslim)

Friday is among the days Allah has given special merit for worship, and many historic events are linked to it.

This Madani surah of 11 verses is divided into three main parts. The first part (verses 1-4) speaks of the revelation of the Qur'an to Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) as Allah's favour and sign.

The second part (verses 5-8) speaks of a people who boasted of their status but did not honour their book (Allah's verses or signs). For this reason they were also heedless of Allah's recompense, and took death and the return to Allah's court lightly.

In the third part (verses 9-11), Allah tells us to gather in His court on Friday, and advises that success comes through responding earnestly to His call on this day, setting aside trade and amusement. The surah advises remembering Allah often and speaks of hoping for success through all this. In this way the surah is woven in three parts.

The Jumma gathering reminds us every week of the gathering on the Day of Judgement. On Friday we gather by choice; on the Day of Judgement we will have to gather. This weekly gathering is a rehearsal for the gathering of Hashr.

Source: Prothom Alo. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.