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  • Writer's pictureAsma Bint Shameem

Why is the Friday prayer read out loud?

by Asma bint Shameem


Ever wondered why the prayer on Jumu’ah is read out loud?


Although generally speaking, the “day” prayers are recited quietly, we’re supposed to recite the Jumu’ah prayer out loud.

Why is that?


First of all, that’s how the Prophet ﷺ read the Friday prayers.

He read them out loud.


And we’re supposed to follow the Prophet ﷺ and pray like him ﷺ.


🍃 The Prophet ﷺ said:


“Pray as you have seen me praying.” (al-Bukhaari)


Secondly, the scholars explain some of the reasons why the prayer on Fridays is recited out loud.


🍃 Someone asked Shaikh Ibn Uthaymeen the following question.


“What is the reason for reciting out loud in Jumu’ah prayer?”


Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:


“The reason why it is recited out loud is – and Allaah knows best –


1. Firstly so as to unite the people behind one Imaam, because if they are united behind one Imaam and listening attentively to him, that is a better form of unity than if each one of them were to recite to himself.

In order to achieve this the people must all be gathered in one place, except in cases of necessity.


2. The second reason is that the Imaam’s recitation out loud during the prayer is a completion of the two khutbahs.


Hence the Prophet Sal Allaahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam used to recite in Jumu’ah prayer soorahs that were appropriate, either Surah al-Jumu’ah and al-Munaafiqeen, because the former mentions Jumu’ah and encourages us to attend the prayer, and the latter describes hypocrisy and denounces its people;

or he would recite Surah al-Aa’la and al-Ghaashiyah, because the former mentions the beginning of creation and describes various creatures and the beginning of divine laws, and the latter describes the Resurrection and rewards and punishments.


3. The third reason is so as to distinguish between Dhuhr and Jumu’ah.


4. The fourth reason is so that it will be similar to Eid prayer, because Jumu’ah is the weekly “Eid”.”

(Majmoo’ Fataawa Ibn ‘Uthaymeen, 16/112)


And Allaah knows best.

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