Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

RECOMMENDED RITUALS OF FRIDAY NIGHT (SHAB-E-JUMAH)

Although the recommended rites on Friday nights are too many, we will briefly mention some of them as follows:

First: Repeat very often the following litanies:

“سبحان اللّه،و اللّه اكبر،و لا اله الاّ اللّه اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ”

It has been narrated that because Friday nights are illustrious and daytimes are brilliant, you may repeat very often the litanies of subhanallah, Allahu-akbar, and la-Ilaha-illallah. You may also invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household very frequently at this night.

According to another narration, one may repeat the invocation of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one hundred times at least at Friday nights. Yet, the more the best.

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying, “To invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household at Friday nights is equal to winning one thousand rewards, having one thousand evildoings erased, and having one thousand ranks raised.”

It is recommended to start these invocations immediately after the Asr Prayer on Thursday up to the end of Friday daytime. In this regard, it has been authentically narrated that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “On Thursday afternoons, angels from the heavens descend to the lowest space carrying golden pens and silver papers on which they record nothing except the invocations of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household."

Shaykh al-Tusi says it recommended, on Thursdays, to repeat the invocations of blessings upon Muhammad and his Household one thousand times in the following form:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ وَ اَهْلِكْ عَدُوَّهُمْ مِنَ الْجِنِّ وَ الْاِنْسِ مِنَ الْاَوَّلِينَ وَ الْآخِرِينَ.

Great reward will be the share of him who utters this invocation from Thursday afternoons up to the last hour of Fridays.

Shaykh al-Tusi has also recorded that it is recommended to say the following prayer of forgiveness at the last hour of Thursdays:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ تَوْبَةَ عَبْدٍ خَاضِعٍ مِسْكِينٍ مُسْتَكِينٍ لا يَسْتَطِيعُ لِنَفْسِهِ صَرْفا وَ لا عَدْلا وَ لا نَفْعا وَ لا ضَرّا وَ لا حَيَاةً وَ لا مَوْتا وَ لا نُشُورا وَ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عِتْرَتِهِ الطَّيِّبِينَ الطَّاهِرِينَ الْاَخْيَارِ الْاَبْرَارِ وَ سَلَّمَ تَسْلِيما .

Second: At Friday nights, it is recommended to recite the following chapters (Surah) of the Holy Qur’an:

(1) Surah al-Isra’ (Bani-Isra’il; No. 17),

(2) Surah al-Kahf (No. 18),

(3) the three Surahs beginning with Ya-Sin, i.e. Surah al-Shu’ara’ (No. 26), Surah al-Naml (No. 27), and Surah al-Qasas (No. 28),

(4) Surah al-Sajdah (No. 32),

(5) Surah Yasin (No. 36),

(6) SurahSad (No. 38),

(7) Surah al-Ahqaf (No. 46),

(8) Surah al-Waqiah (No. 56),

(9) Surah Fussilat (No. 41),

(10) Surah al-Dukhan (No. 44),

(11) Surah al-Tur (No. 52),

(12) Surah al-Qamar (No. 54), and

(13) Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62).

If there is not enough time to recite all these Surahs, one may choose Surah al-Waqiah and those preceding it [in the aforesaid list].

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who recites Surah al-Isra’ each Friday night will join Imam al-Mahdi(a.s.) as one of his companions.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Kahf at Friday nights will die as martyr and will be resurrected with and in the line of the martyrs (on the Resurrection Day).

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites the three Surahs beginning with Ya-Sin at Friday nights will be included with the intimate saints of Almighty Allah, will be made in the vicinity and under the protection of Him, will never be inflicted with misery in his worldly life, and will be given beyond his pleasure on the Resurrection Day.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Sajdah at Friday nights will be given his Record of Deeds in his right hand, will not be interrogated about his evildoings, and will be included with the companions of Muhammad and his Household - peace be upon them all.

Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is authentically reported to have said that one who recites SurahSad at Friday nights will be granted the welfare of this world as well as the Next World in such an excellent way that none would deserve except Prophets and archangels and will be allowed to Paradise as well as all those whom he loves among his household including the servants.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who recites on Fridays or at Friday nights Surah al-Ahqaf will be saved, by Almighty Allah, from terrors in the worldly life and will be secured from the horror of the Resurrection Day.

He (a.s.) is also reported as saying that one who recites Surah al-Waqiah at Friday nights will be loved by Almighty Allah, all people will be made to love him, will be saved from all miseries, poverty, neediness, and misfortunes in this worldly life, and will be joined to the companions of Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) because this Surah is ascribed to him.

It has been also narrated that to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah at Friday nights is decided as expiation (forgiving the sins) for the evildoings committed throughout the week. A similar merit has been narrated for reciting Surah al-Kahf at Friday nights or after the two obligatory Zohr and Asr Prayers on Fridays.

It is worth mentioning that it is highly recommended to offer many (supererogatory) prayers at Friday nights such as Imam Ali’s Prayer, known as (Salat Ameer al-Momineen) and the two-unit prayer in each of which one should recite Surah al-Faatehah once and repeat Surah al-Zalzalah (No. 99) fifteen times. It has been narrated that one who offers this prayer will be saved, by Almighty Allah, from the grave torment and the horrors on the Resurrection Day.

Third: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62) in the first unit of the Maghrib (Sunset) and Isha’ (Evening) obligatory Prayers, and to recite Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) in the second unit of the Maghrib Prayer and Surah al-A’la (No. 87) in the second unit of the Isha’ Prayer.

Fourth: It is highly recommended to avoid reciting poetry at Friday nights. Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is authentically reported to have said that it is abominable to say poetry for one observing fasting (sawm), the Muhrim (entering into Ihram: putting the pilgrimage uniform and entering the state of being performing the obligatory rites of the ritual Hajj), and on Fridays and at Friday nights. When he was asked whether this instruction is effective on the religiously acceptable poetry too, the Imam (a.s.) answered affirmatively.

It has been also authentically narrated on the authority of Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) that the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) said, “One who utters even one verse of poetry on Fridays and at Friday nights will have nothing of the rewards except that of uttering that poetry.”

According to another narration, the prayers of those who recite poetry on Fridays will not be accepted.

Fifth: It is highly recommended to pray Almighty Allah for the good of one’s brethren-in-faith very frequently so as to copy the deed of Lady Fatimah al-Zahra’. According to a Hadith, one who prays for ten deceased individuals will be unquestionably allowed to enter Paradise.

Sixth: It is also recommended to say the supplications dedicated to Fridays. Actually, these supplications are too numerous to be cited in this chapter; therefore, a few of them will be hereinafter mentioned:

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is authentically reported as saying that one who says the following supplicatory prayer in the last prostration of the Isha’ supererogatory prayer at Friday nights and repeats it seven times will have all his sins forgiven as soon as he accomplishes that prayer. Yet, it is desirable to repeat this deed each night:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَسْاَلُكَ بِوَجْهِكَ الْكَرِيمِ وَ اسْمِكَ الْعَظِيمِ اَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اَنْ تَغْفِرَ لِي ذَنْبِيَ الْعَظِيمَ .

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said that one who repeats the following supplicatory prayer seven times at Friday night will be allowed Paradise if he departs life at that night; and one who repeats it seven times on Friday will be also allowed Paradise if he departs life on that day:

اللَّهُمَّ اَنْتَ رَبِّي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ خَلَقْتَنِي وَ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ وَ ابْنُ اَمَتِكَ وَ فِي قَبْضَتِكَ وَ نَاصِيَتِي بِيَدِكَ اَمْسَيْتُ عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَ وَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ اَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ اَبُوءُ بِنِعْمَتِكَ [بِعَمَلِي‏] وَ اَبُوءُ بِذَنْبِي [بِذُنُوبِي‏] فَاغْفِرْ لِي ذُنُوبِي اِنَّهُ لا يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ اِلا اَنْتَ .

Shaykh al-Tusi, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, al-Kaf’ami, and Sayyid Ibn Baqi have recorded that it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer on Fridays and at Friday nights and on the day and night of ‘Arafat (the ninth of Dhu’l-Hijjah). However, the supplication will be hereinafter cited as quoted from Shaykh al-Tusi’s book of al-Misbah:

اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ تَعَبَّاَ وَ تَهَيَّاَ وَ اَعَدَّ وَ اسْتَعَدَّ لِوِفَادَةٍ اِلَى مَخْلُوقٍ رَجَاءَ رِفْدِهِ وَ طَلَبَ نَائِلِهِ وَ جَائِزَتِهِ فَاِلَيْكَ يَا رَبِّ تَعْبِيَتِي وَ اسْتِعْدَادِي رَجَاءَ عَفْوِكَ وَ طَلَبَ نَائِلِكَ وَ جَائِزَتِكَ فَلا تُخَيِّبْ دُعَائِي يَا مَنْ لا يَخِيبُ عَلَيْهِ سَائِلٌ [السَّائِلُ‏] وَ لا يَنْقُصُهُ نَائِلٌ فَاِنِّي لَمْ آتِكَ ثِقَةً بِعَمَلٍ صَالِحٍ عَمِلْتُهُ وَ لا لِوِفَادَةِ مَخْلُوقٍ رَجَوْتُهُ اَتَيْتُكَ مُقِرّا عَلَى نَفْسِي بِالْاِسَاءَةِ وَ الظُّلْمِ، مُعْتَرِفا بِاَنْ لا حُجَّةَ لِي وَ لا عُذْرَ اَتَيْتُكَ اَرْجُو عَظِيمَ عَفْوِكَ الَّذِي عَفَوْتَ [عَلَوْتَ‏] بِهِ [عَلَى‏] عَنِ الْخَاطِئِينَ [الْخَطَّائِينَ‏] فَلَمْ يَمْنَعْكَ طُولُ عُكُوفِهِمْ عَلَى عَظِيمِ الْجُرْمِ اَنْ عُدْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ بِالرَّحْمَةِ فَيَا مَنْ رَحْمَتُهُ وَاسِعَةٌ وَ عَفْوُهُ عَظِيمٌ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا عَظِيمُ يَا عَظِيمُ لا يَرُدُّ غَضَبَكَ اِلا حِلْمُكَ وَ لا يُنْجِي مِنْ سَخَطِكَ اِلا التَّضَرُّعُ اِلَيْكَ فَهَبْ لِي يَا اِلَهِي فَرَجا بِالْقُدْرَةِ الَّتِي تُحْيِي بِهَا مَيْتَ الْبِلادِ ، وَ لا تُهْلِكْنِي غَمّا حَتَّى تَسْتَجِيبَ لِي وَ تُعَرِّفَنِي الْاِجَابَةَ فِي دُعَائِي وَ اَذِقْنِي طَعْمَ الْعَافِيَةِ اِلَى مُنْتَهَى اَجَلِي وَ لا تُشْمِتْ بِي عَدُوِّي وَ لا تُسَلِّطْهُ عَلَيَّ وَ لا تُمَكِّنْهُ مِنْ عُنُقِي اللَّهُمَّ [اِلَهِي‏] اِنْ وَضَعْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَرْفَعُنِي وَ اِنْ رَفَعْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَضَعُنِي وَ اِنْ اَهْلَكْتَنِي فَمَنْ ذَا الَّذِي يَعْرِضُ لَكَ فِي عَبْدِكَ اَوْ يَسْاَلُكَ عَنْ اَمْرِهِ، وَ قَدْ عَلِمْتُ اَنَّهُ لَيْسَ فِي حُكْمِكَ ظُلْمٌ وَ لا فِي نَقِمَتِكَ عَجَلَةٌ وَ اِنَّمَا يَعْجَلُ مَنْ يَخَافُ الْفَوْتَ وَ اِنَّمَا يَحْتَاجُ اِلَى الظُّلْمِ الضَّعِيفُ وَ قَدْ تَعَالَيْتَ يَا اِلَهِي عَنْ ذَلِكَ عُلُوّا كَبِيرا اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي اَعُوذُ بِكَ فَاَعِذْنِي وَ اَسْتَجِيرُ بِكَ فَاَجِرْنِي وَ اَسْتَرْزِقُكَ فَارْزُقْنِي وَ اَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْكَ فَاكْفِنِي وَ اَسْتَنْصِرُكَ عَلَى عَدُوِّي [عَدُوِّكَ‏] فَانْصُرْنِي وَ اَسْتَعِينُ بِكَ فَاَعِنِّي وَ اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ يَا اِلَهِي فَاغْفِرْ لِي آمِينَ آمِينَ آمِينَ .

Seventh: It is highly recommended to say the famous supplicatory prayer known as Dua Kumayl, which will be cited in the coming section of this book, at Friday nights.

Eighth: It is also recommended to say the supplication that begins with the following statements. This supplication is also recommended to be said at the ‘Arafat Night, and will be cited later on in this book:

“اللّهمّ يا شاهد كلّ نجوى”

Ninth: It is recommended to repeat the following supplicatory prayer ten times:

يَا دَائِمَ الْفَضْلِ عَلَى الْبَرِيَّةِ يَا بَاسِطَ الْيَدَيْنِ بِالْعَطِيَّةِ يَا صَاحِبَ الْمَوَاهِبِ السَّنِيَّةِ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ خَيْرِ الْوَرَى سَجِيَّةً وَ اغْفِرْ لَنَا يَا ذَا الْعُلَى فِي هَذِهِ الْعَشِيَّةِ.

This honorable supplicatory prayer is also recommended to be said at the night of ‘Id al-Fitr (fast-break Feast; the first of Shawwal).

Tenth: Following Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) it is recommended to have pomegranate at Friday nights. Yet, it is preferable to have it before going to sleep. In this respect, it has been narrated that to eat pomegranate before going to sleep procures security until morning. It is also instructive to extend a handkerchief on the ground so as to save all the seeds of a pomegranate from loss and then eat them all. It is also recommended not to share anyone with it.

Eleventh: In his book of al-’Arus, Shaykh Ja’far ibn Ahmad al-Qummi has recorded that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported to have said that one who repeats the following litany one hundred times between the Dawn supererogatory and obligatory prayers will be owned, by Almighty Allah, a house in Paradise:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّيَ الْعَظِيمِ وَ بِحَمْدِهِ اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ رَبِّي وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ

Twelfth: Shaykh al-Tusi, Sayyid Ibn Tawus, and others have mentioned the following supplicatory prayer confirming that it is recommended to say it at Friday nights just before dawn:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ هَبْ لِيَ الْغَدَاةَ رِضَاكَ وَ اَسْكِنْ قَلْبِي خَوْفَكَ وَ اقْطَعْهُ عَمَّنْ سِوَاكَ حَتَّى لا اَرْجُوَ وَ لا اَخَافَ اِلا اِيَّاكَ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ هَبْ لِي ثَبَاتَ الْيَقِينِ وَ مَحْضَ الْاِخْلاصِ وَ شَرَفَ التَّوْحِيدِ وَ دَوَامَ الاسْتِقَامَةِ وَ مَعْدِنَ الصَّبْرِ وَ الرِّضَا بِالْقَضَاءِ وَ الْقَدَرِ يَا قَاضِيَ حَوَائِجِ السَّائِلِينَ يَا مَنْ يَعْلَمُ مَا فِي ضَمِيرِ الصَّامِتِينَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ، وَ اسْتَجِبْ دُعَائِي وَ اغْفِرْ ذَنْبِي وَ اَوْسِعْ رِزْقِي وَ اقْضِ حَوَائِجِي فِي نَفْسِي وَ اِخْوَانِي فِي دِينِي وَ اَهْلِي اِلَهِي طُمُوحُ الْآمَالِ قَدْ خَابَتْ اِلا لَدَيْكَ وَ مَعَاكِفُ الْهِمَمِ قَدْ تَعَطَّلَتْ اِلا عَلَيْكَ وَ مَذَاهِبُ الْعُقُولِ قَدْ سَمَتْ اِلا اِلَيْكَ فَاَنْتَ الرَّجَاءُ وَ اِلَيْكَ الْمُلْتَجَاُ يَا اَكْرَمَ مَقْصُودٍ وَ اَجْوَدَ مَسْئُولٍ هَرَبْتُ اِلَيْكَ بِنَفْسِي يَا مَلْجَاَ الْهَارِبِينَ، بِاَثْقَالِ الذُّنُوبِ اَحْمِلُهَا عَلَى ظَهْرِي لا اَجِدُ لِي اِلَيْكَ شَافِعا سِوَى مَعْرِفَتِي بِاَنَّكَ اَقْرَبُ مَنْ رَجَاهُ الطَّالِبُونَ وَ اَمَّلَ مَا لَدَيْهِ الرَّاغِبُونَ يَا مَنْ فَتَقَ الْعُقُولَ بِمَعْرِفَتِهِ وَ اَطْلَقَ الْاَلْسُنَ بِحَمْدِهِ وَ جَعَلَ مَا امْتَنَّ بِهِ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ فِي كِفَاءٍ لِتَأْدِيَةِ حَقِّهِ [اَنَالَ بِهِ حَقَّهُ‏] صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِهِ وَ لا تَجْعَلْ لِلشَّيْطَانِ عَلَى عَقْلِي سَبِيلا وَ لا لِلْبَاطِلِ عَلَى عَمَلِي دَلِيلا.

When Friday dawns, it is recommended to say the following:

اَصْبَحْتُ فِي ذِمَّةِ اللّٰهِ وَ ذِمَّةِ مَلائِكَتِهِ وَ ذِمَمِ اَنْبِيَائِهِ وَ رُسُلِهِ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ وَ ذِمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ ذِمَمِ الْاَوْصِيَاءِ مِنْ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ آمَنْتُ بِسِرِّ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ وَ عَلانِيَتِهِمْ وَ ظَاهِرِهِمْ وَ بَاطِنِهِمْ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّهُمْ فِي عِلْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ طَاعَتِهِ كَمُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ.

It has been also narrated that one who says the following litany three times before the Dawn (Fajr) Prayer on Fridays will have all his sins forgiven even if they are as innumerable as swelling foams:

اَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ الَّذِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَيْهِ.

RECOMMENDED RITES OF FRIDAY

Too many are the recommended rites on Fridays; yet, we will briefly mention the following:

First: In the first unit of the Dawn Prayer, it is recommended to recite Surah al-Jumu’ah (No. 62) and, in the second unit, Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112).

Second: Before opening the mouth with any word, it is recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after the Dawn Prayer so that all sins committed throughout the week will be forgiven:

اللَّهُمَّ مَا قُلْتُ فِي جُمُعَتِي هَذِهِ مِنْ قَوْلٍ اَوْ حَلَفْتُ فِيهَا مِنْ حَلْفٍ اَوْ نَذَرْتُ فِيهَا مِنْ نَذْرٍ فَمَشِيَّتُكَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْ ذَلِكَ كُلِّهِ فَمَا شِئْتَ مِنْهُ اَنْ يَكُونَ كَانَ وَ مَا لَمْ تَشَأْ مِنْهُ لَمْ يَكُنْ اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ تَجَاوَزْ عَنِّي اللَّهُمَّ مَنْ صَلَّيْتَ عَلَيْهِ فَصَلَوَاتِي عَلَيْهِ وَ مَنْ لَعَنْتَ فَلَعْنَتِي عَلَيْهِ.

This act should be done once a month at least.

It has been also narrated that one who, after the accomplishment of the Dawn Prayer on Fridays, does devotional acts and says supplications and invocations until sunrise will be raised seventy ranks to the Supreme Paradise.

Shaykh al-Tusi has recorded that it is highly recommended to say the following supplicatory prayer after the Dawn Prayer on Fridays:

اللَّهُمَّ اِنِّي تَعَمَّدْتُ اِلَيْكَ بِحَاجَتِي وَ اَنْزَلْتُ اِلَيْكَ الْيَوْمَ فَقْرِي وَ فَاقَتِي وَ مَسْكَنَتِي فَاَنَا لِمَغْفِرَتِكَ اَرْجَى مِنِّي لِعَمَلِي وَ لَمَغْفِرَتُكَ وَ رَحْمَتُكَ اَوْسَعُ مِنْ ذُنُوبِي فَتَوَلَّ قَضَاءَ كُلِّ حَاجَةٍ لِي بِقُدْرَتِكَ عَلَيْهَا وَ تَيْسِيرِ [تَيَسُّرِ] ذَلِكَ عَلَيْكَ وَ لِفَقْرِي اِلَيْكَ فَاِنِّي لَمْ اُصِبْ خَيْرا قَطُّ اِلا مِنْكَ وَ لَمْ يَصْرِفْ عَنِّي سُوءا قَطُّ اَحَدٌ سِوَاكَ وَ لَسْتُ [لَيْسَ‏] اَرْجُو لِآخِرَتِي وَ دُنْيَايَ وَ لا لِيَوْمِ فَقْرِي يَوْمَ يُفْرِدُنِي النَّاسُ فِي حُفْرَتِي وَ اُفْضِي اِلَيْكَ بِذَنْبِي سِوَاكَ

Third: It has been narrated that one who says the following invocation after the Zohr and Fajr Prayers on Fridays, as well as other days, will catch Imam al-Mahdi(a.s.) before he dies:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ عَجِّلْ فَرَجَهُمْ

In addition, it has been narrated that one who repeats the aforesaid invocation one hundred times will have sixty of his requests granted for him - thirty in this worldly life and thirty on the Resurrection Day.

Fourth: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Rahman (No. 55) after the Fajr Prayer on Fridays and to say, “None of Your favors do I deny,”wherever the verses, “Then which of the favors of your Lord will ye deny?” are recited.

Fifth: Shaykh al-Tusi has recorded that it is highly recommended to recite Surah al-Tawheed, to invoke Almighty Allah’s blessings upon Muhammad and his Household, and to pray Him for forgiveness each one hundred times after the Fajr Prayer on Fridays. It is also highly recommended to recite Surahs al-Nisa’ (No. 4), Hud (No. 11), al-Kahf (No. 18), al-Saaffaat (No. 37), and al-Rahman (No. 55) during that time.

Sixth: It is recommended to recite Surah al-Ahqaf (No. 46) and Surah al-Mu’minun (No. 23).

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying that anyone who recites Surah al-Ahqaf at Friday nights or on Fridays will not be inflicted by dismays in his worldly life and will be saved from the horrors on the Resurrection Day. The Imam (a.s.) is also reported as saying that anyone who recites Surah al-Mu’minun regularly each Friday will come upon a happy end and will be granted an abode in the Supreme Paradise with the Prophets and Messengers of Almighty Allah.

Seventh: It is recommended to repeat Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) ten times before sunrise and then pray Almighty Allah so that all prayers will be answered.

It has been narrated that Imam Ali ibn al-Husayn Zayn al-’Abidin (a.s.) used to repeat reciting Ayah al-Kursi (verse No. 255 of Surah al-Baqarah No. 2) from early morning up to midday on Fridays. When he accomplished the obligatory prayers, he would recite Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) frequently.

It is worth mentioning that to recite Ayah al-Kursi in the form of revelationon Fridays achieves a great reward.

Eighth: It is highly recommended to bathe oneself. In fact, this is one of the most confirmed rituals of Fridays. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have instructed Imam Ali(a.s.) by saying, “O Ali; wash yourself every Friday even if you have to purchase water with your Daily provisions and have nothing to eat. Verily, no voluntary act is better than this.”

Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) is also reported to have said: Whoever washes himself on Fridays and, meanwhile, says the following supplicatory prayer will be pure all through that week:

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ اَشْهَدُ اَنَّ مُحَمَّدا عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ.

“Pure” in the aforesaid Hadith stands for purification from sins or acceptance of the deeds, which is thus moral purification.

In any case, it is important not to neglect bathing oneself on Fridays when possible. The recommended time of this bathing is between sunrise and midday. In addition, the nearer to midday the better.

Ninth: It is recommended to dye with hibiscus, for it saves from leprosy and insanity.

Tenth: It is also recommended to cut the mustache neatly and trim the nails so as not to miss the great merits of doing these acts. As has been mentioned in narrations, these acts bring about expansion in sustenance, cancellation of sins up to the next Friday, and security from insanity and leprosy. On doing that, it is recommended to say the following litany:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَ بِاللّٰهِ وَ عَلَى سُنَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍ [رَسُولِ اللّٰهِ ‏] وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ

It is also recommended, on cutting the nails, to start with the little finger of the left hand and end with that of the right hand. The same thing is applicable to the nails of the feet. Then, the cut nails should be buried.

Eleventh: It is recommended to apply perfume and put on the best of one’s clothes.

Twelfth: It is recommended to give alms, for the rewards are doubled up on Fridays and at Friday nights, as is confirmed by narrations, as one thousand folds as giving alms on other days.

Thirteenth: It is recommended to arrange fruits and wholesome meals to the family members so that Fridays will be their days of pleasure.

Fourteenth: It is recommended to eat pomegranate before breakfast and to eat seven leaves of endive before midday. In this connection, Imam Musa al-Kazim (a.s.) is reported to have said, “The heart of him who eats a pomegranate before breakfast on Fridays will be enlightened for forty days. To eat two pomegranates increases the period of enlightenment to eighty days, and so on. It also dismisses the evil suggestions. Of course, to get rid of Satan’s suggestions is to stop acting disobediently to Almighty Allah; and to stop acting disobediently to Him allows entrance to Paradise.”

In al-Misbah, the author has said that to eat pomegranates on Fridays and at Friday nights achieves great merits.

Fifteenth: It is recommended to dedicate Fridays to learning the religious laws and instructions, not to wandering in others’ gardens, accompanying the vicious and the licentious, speaking about the others’ defects, laughing and guffawing, reciting poetry, and discussing useless subjects as well as similar matters. Disadvantages arisen from such matters are too many to be mentioned.

Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) is reported as saying, “Woe to a Muslim who does not dedicate Fridays to learning the affairs of his religion.”

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is also reported to have said, “If you, on Fridays, see old men telling the tales of infidelity and of the pre-Islamic era, you should then make their heads the targets of stones.”

Sixteenth: It is recommended to repeat one thousand times at least the invocation of blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household. Imam Muhammad al-Baqir (a.s.) is reported to have said, “For me, no act of worship is more favorable than invoking blessings upon the Prophet and his immaculate Household - may Allah bless them all - on Fridays.”

If there is not enough time to repeat this invocation one thousand times, it must be repeated one hundred times at least so that faces will be brightened on the Judgment Day.

It has been also narrated that all sins will be totally forgiven for those who repeat invocations of blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his Household one hundred times, repeat the following supplicatory prayer one hundred times, and recite Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) one hundred times on Fridays:

اَستَغفِرُاللهَ رَبَّی وَ اَتُوبُ اِلَیهِ

It has been also narrated that to invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet and his household is equal (in reward) to seventy times of going on Hajj.

Seventeenth: It is recommended to say the ritual Ziyarahs of the Holy Prophet and Imams, peace be upon them all. A section of this book is dedicated to the etiquettes and methods of Ziyarahs.

Eighteenth: It is recommended to visit the tombs of one’s relatives in general and parents in particular. Imam al-Baqir (a.s.) is reported as saying, “Visit the graves of your relatives on Fridays, for they know about those who visit their graves and will be happy for that.”

Nineteenth: It is recommended to say Dua al-Nudbah Supplication, which is one of the rites to be done on the Four Feast Days (i.e. ‘Id al-Fitr - the first of Shawwal, ‘Id al-Adha - the tenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, ‘Id al-Ghadir - the eighteenth of Dhu’l-Hijjah, and Fridays).

NAMAZ E KAMILAH

Twentieth: Excluding the Friday Supererogatory Prayer (Nafilat al-Jumu’ah), many other optional prayers are reported to be offered on Fridays. Although the majority of these prayers are not dedicated to Fridays, it is highly recommended to offer them on Fridays.

One of these prayers is al-Salat al-Kamilah (The Perfect Prayer) that has been mentioned by many master scholars through numerous authentic series of reporters from Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq on the authority of his honorable fathers on the authority of the Holy Prophet - Allah’s peace and blessings be upon them all. In this connection, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) is reported to have said: As for anyone who, before midday on Fridays, offers a four-unit prayer and recites the following in each unit: (1) Surah al-Faatehah ten times, (2) Surah al-Nas (No. 114) ten times, (3) Surah al-Falaq (No. 113) ten times, (4) Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) ten times, (5) Surah al-Kafirun (No. 109) ten times, (6) Ayah al-Kursi (2:155) ten times, [And, according to another narration, (7) Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) ten times, (8) Ayat Shahidallah (3:18-19) ten times,] and, after the accomplishment of the prayer,

(1) repeats the following statement one hundred times:

ASTAGFIRU ALLAH

(2) repeats the following litany one hundred times:

سُبحانَ اللهِ وَالحَمدُلِلّهِ وَ لا اِلهَ اِلّا اللهُ اَکبَرُ وَ لا حَولَ وَلا قُوَّة الّا بِاللهِ العَلِیِّ العَظیمِ .

(3) repeats the following invocation one hundred times:

ALLAHUMMA SALLI ALA MUHAMMADIN WA ALI MUHAMMADIN

As for him who offers this prayer, Almighty Allah will save him from the evils of the inhabitants of the heavens, the inhabitants of the earth, the devil, and all unjust rulers.

ANOTHER PRAYER

It has been narrated on the authority of al-Harith al-Hamadani that Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) said: If possible, offer on Fridays ten units of prayer with perfect genuflection (ruku’) and prostration (sujud) repeating the following litany one hundred times between each couple (i.e. two) of units:

سبحانَ اللهِ وَ بِحَمدِهِ

To offer this prayer brings about a great reward.

A THIRD PRAYER

It has been authentically narrated that Imam al-Sadiq(a.s.) said, “One who recites Surahs Ibrahim (No. 14) and al-Hijr (No. 15) altogether in a two-unit prayer on Fridays will be saved from poverty, insanity, and misfortunes forever.”

NAMAZ OF HOLY PROPHET(S)

Sayyid Ibn Tawus, may Allah have mercy on him, has narrated, through an authenticated chain of authority, that when he was asked about Ja’far al-Tayyar’s Prayer, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) said, “Have you known about the Holy Prophet’s Prayer? Perhaps, the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.a.) had never offered Ja’far al-Tayyar’s Prayer and Ja’far al-Tayyar had never offered the Holy Prophet’s Prayer.” When the asker asked him to teach him that prayer, Imam al-Rida(a.s.) said,

Offer a two-unit prayer reciting in each unit Surah al-Faatehah (No. 1) once and Surah al-Qadr (No. 97) fifteen times. When you come to the Ruku’ (genuflection), repeat it (i.e. Surah al-Qadr) fifteen times; when you raise your body after the Ruku’, recite it fifteen times; when you do the Sujud (prostration), repeat it fifteen times; when you raise your head from the Sujud, repeat it fifteen times; when you do the second prostration, repeat it fifteen times; and when you raise your head from the second prostration, repeat it fifteen times. When you finish your prayer, you will have all your sins forgiven by Almighty Allah and you will have all your requests granted for you. The supplication that should be said thereafter is as follows:

لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ رَبُّنَا وَ رَبُّ آبَائِنَا الْاَوَّلِينَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ اِلَها وَاحِدا وَ نَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ لا نَعْبُدُ اِلا اِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ وَ لَوْ كَرِهَ الْمُشْرِكُونَ لا اِلَهَ اِلا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ وَحْدَهُ وَحْدَهُ اَنْجَزَ وَعْدَهُ وَ نَصَرَ عَبْدَهُ وَ اَعَزَّ جُنْدَهُ وَ هَزَمَ الْاَحْزَابَ وَحْدَهُ فَلَهُ الْمُلْكُ وَ لَهُ الْحَمْدُ وَ هُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ اللَّهُمَّ اَنْتَ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ [وَ لِلَّهِ الْمُلْكُ وَ الْحَمْدُ] وَ اَنْتَ قَيَّامُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَ الْاَرْضِ وَ مَنْ فِيهِنَّ فَلَكَ الْحَمْدُ وَ اَنْتَ الْحَقُّ وَ وَعْدُكَ الْحَقُّ [حَقٌ‏]، وَ قَوْلُكَ حَقٌّ وَ اِنْجَازُك حَقٌّ وَ الْجَنَّةُ حَقٌّ وَ النَّارُ حَقٌّ [وَ اَنْتَ الْحَقُ‏] اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ اَسْلَمْتُ وَ بِكَ آمَنْتُ وَ عَلَيْكَ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَ بِكَ خَاصَمْتُ وَ اِلَيْكَ حَاكَمْتُ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ يَا رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِي مَا قَدَّمْتُ وَ اَخَّرْتُ وَ اَسْرَرْتُ وَ اَعْلَنْتُ اَنْتَ اِلَهِي لا اِلَهَ اِلا اَنْتَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ اغْفِرْ لِي وَ ارْحَمْنِي وَ تُبْ عَلَيَّ اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ .

NAMAZ OF IMAM ALI (A.S.)

Shaykh al-Tusi and Sayyid Ibn Tawus have recorded that Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq(a.s.) said: One who offers the four-unit prayer of Imam AliAmeer al-Momineen(a.s.) will be as free of sins as newborns and will have all his requests granted. In the first unit, recite Surah al-Faatehah (No. 1) once and repeat Surah al-Tawheed (No. 112) fifty times. On accomplishment, say the following litany of Imam Ali, peace be upon him:

سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا تَبِيدُ مَعَالِمُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا تَنْقُصُ خَزَائِنُهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا اضْمِحْلالَ لِفَخْرِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا يَنْفَدُ مَا عِنْدَهُ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا انْقِطَاعَ لِمُدَّتِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا يُشَارِكُ اَحَدا فِي اَمْرِهِ سُبْحَانَ مَنْ لا اِلَهَ غَيْرُهُ

Thereafter, say the following supplicatory prayer:

يَا مَنْ عَفَا عَنِ السَّيِّئَاتِ وَ لَمْ يُجَازِ بِهَا ارْحَمْ عَبْدَكَ يَا اللَّهُ نَفْسِي نَفْسِي اَنَا عَبْدُكَ يَا سَيِّدَاهْ اَنَا عَبْدُكَ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ اَيَا رَبَّاهْ، اِلَهِي بِكَيْنُونَتِكَ يَا اَمَلاهْ يَا رَحْمَانَاهْ يَا غِيَاثَاهْ عَبْدُكَ عَبْدُكَ لا حِيلَةَ لَهُ يَا مُنْتَهَى رَغْبَتَاهْ يَا مُجْرِيَ الدَّمِ فِي عُرُوقِي [عَبْدُكَ‏] يَا سَيِّدَاهْ يَا مَالِكَاهْ اَيَا هُوَ اَيَا هُوَ يَا رَبَّاهْ عَبْدُكَ عَبْدُكَ لا حِيلَةَ لِي وَ لا غِنَى بِي عَنْ نَفْسِي وَ لا اَسْتَطِيعُ لَهَا ضَرّا وَ لا نَفْعا وَ لا اَجِدُ مَنْ اُصَانِعُهُ تَقَطَّعَتْ اَسْبَابُ الْخَدَائِعِ عَنِّي وَ اضْمَحَلَّ كُلُّ مَظْنُونٍ عَنِّي اَفْرَدَنِي الدَّهْرُ اِلَيْكَ فَقُمْتُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْكَ هَذَا الْمَقَامَ يَا اِلَهِي بِعِلْمِكَ كَانَ هَذَا كُلُّهُ فَكَيْفَ اَنْتَ صَانِعٌ بِي وَ لَيْتَ شِعْرِي كَيْفَ تَقُولُ لِدُعَائِي اَ تَقُولُ نَعَمْ اَمْ تَقُولُ لا، فَاِنْ قُلْتَ لا فَيَا وَيْلِي يَا وَيْلِي يَا وَيْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا عَوْلِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا شِقْوَتِي يَا ذُلِّي يَا ذُلِّي يَا ذُلِّي اِلَى مَنْ وَ مِمَّنْ اَوْ عِنْدَ مَنْ اَوْ كَيْفَ اَوْ مَا ذَا اَوْ اِلَى اَيِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ اَلْجَاُ وَ مَنْ اَرْجُو وَ مَنْ يَجُودُ عَلَيَّ بِفَضْلِهِ حِينَ تَرْفُضُنِي يَا وَاسِعَ الْمَغْفِرَةِ وَ اِنْ قُلْتَ نَعَمْ كَمَا هُوَ الظَّنُّ بِكَ وَ الرَّجَاءُ لَكَ فَطُوبَى لِي اَنَا السَّعِيدُ وَ اَنَا الْمَسْعُودُ فَطُوبَى لِي وَ اَنَا الْمَرْحُومُ، يَا مُتَرَحِّمُ يَا مُتَرَئِّفُ يَا مُتَعَطِّفُ يَا مُتَجَبِّرُ [مُتَحَنِّنُ‏] يَا مُتَمَلِّكُ يَا مُقْسِطُ لا عَمَلَ لِي اَبْلُغُ بِهِ نَجَاحَ حَاجَتِي اَسْاَلُكَ بِاسْمِكَ الَّذِي جَعَلْتَهُ فِي مَكْنُونِ غَيْبِكَ وَ اسْتَقَرَّ عِنْدَكَ فَلا يَخْرُجُ مِنْكَ اِلَى شَيْ‏ءٍ سِوَاكَ اَسْاَلُكَ بِهِ وَ بِكَ وَ بِهِ فَاِنَّهُ اَجَلُّ وَ اَشْرَفُ اَسْمَائِكَ لا شَيْ‏ءَ لِي غَيْرُ هَذَا وَ لا اَحَدَ اَعْوَدُ عَلَيَّ مِنْكَ يَا كَيْنُونُ يَا مُكَوِّنُ يَا مَنْ عَرَّفَنِي نَفْسَهُ يَا مَنْ اَمَرَنِي بِطَاعَتِهِ يَا مَنْ نَهَانِي عَنْ مَعْصِيَتِهِ وَ يَا مَدْعُوُّ يَا مَسْئُولُ يَا مَطْلُوبا اِلَيْهِ رَفَضْتُ وَصِيَّتَكَ الَّتِي اَوْصَيْتَنِي وَ لَمْ اُطِعْكَ وَ لَوْ اَطَعْتُكَ فِيمَا اَمَرْتَنِي لَكَفَيْتَنِي مَا قُمْتُ اِلَيْكَ فِيهِ وَ اَنَا مَعَ مَعْصِيَتِي لَكَ رَاجٍ، فَلا تَحُلْ بَيْنِي وَ بَيْنَ مَا رَجَوْتُ يَا مُتَرَحِّما لِي اَعِذْنِي مِنْ بَيْنِ يَدَيَّ وَ مِنْ خَلْفِي وَ مِنْ فَوْقِي وَ مِنْ تَحْتِي وَ مِنْ كُلِّ جِهَاتِ الْاِحَاطَةِ بِي اللَّهُمَّ بِمُحَمَّدٍ سَيِّدِي وَ بِعَلِيٍّ وَلِيِّي وَ بِالْاَئِمَّةِ الرَّاشِدِينَ عَلَيْهِمُ السَّلامُ اجْعَلْ عَلَيْنَا صَلَوَاتِكَ وَ رَأْفَتَكَ وَ رَحْمَتَكَ وَ اَوْسِعْ عَلَيْنَا مِنْ رِزْقِكَ وَ اقْضِ عَنَّا الدَّيْنَ وَ جَمِيعَ حَوَائِجِنَا يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ يَا اللَّهُ اِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْ‏ءٍ قَدِيرٌ

The Imam (a.s.) then added: One who offers this prayer and says this supplication will have all his sins forgiven.

Numerous are the narrations that have mentioned splendid reward for those who offer this prayer on Fridays. Similarly, one who says the following supplicatory prayer after that prayer will have all his previous and coming sins forgiven, will be given the reward of him who recites the holy Qur’an entirely twelve times, and will be saved from thirst on the Resurrection Day:

اللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى النَّبِيِّ الْعَرَبِيِّ وَ آلِهِ