What Is Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer)?

Jumu’ah (Arabic: الجمعة) is pronounced JU-mu-ah. It is also the Arabic name for Friday.

Meaning

The word comes from a root meaning to gather. Friday is the day of gathering: once a week, the Muslim community comes together for a special midday prayer. The Qur’an commands it directly, in a chapter named after the day:

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٩﴾

O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.

The prayer has two parts. First, the imam gives a khutbah (sermon), usually in two short sections, reminding people of faith, good character and current concerns. Then everyone prays two units of prayer together, which take the place of the usual four-unit noon prayer.

How Muslims use it

Jumu’ah is obligatory for adult Muslim men who are not travelling or ill; women are welcome and many attend, but it is not required of them. Muslims often take a bath, wear clean clothes and perfume, and come early. In Muslim-minority countries, many arrange their lunch break so they can attend.

Unlike the Jewish Sabbath or the Christian Sunday in many traditions, Friday is not a day of rest in Islam. The very next verse tells believers that when the prayer is over they may go out and seek God’s bounty, while remembering God often (Qur’an 62:10).

Example

“Jumu’ah mubarak! See you at the mosque at one o’clock.”

Learn more in How Do Muslims Pray? and Finding a Mosque.