A congregational prayer
Original guidanceJumu'ah is prayed in congregation and includes a khutbah delivered by the imam.
Friday guide
Friday Prayer
What Jumu'ah is, who it is for, and how to prepare so the prayer is calm and complete.
Jumu'ah is the congregational Friday prayer that includes a khutbah. Prepare with cleanliness, punctuality and attention.
Know the rulingPrepare with ghuslArrive earlyListen activelyFollow the imamPray the sunnah
The basics
What Jumu'ah is
Jumu'ah is the weekly congregational prayer that marks Friday.
It replaces Dhuhr
Reported practiceFor those to whom it applies, Jumu'ah stands in place of the Dhuhr prayer on Friday.
Two rak'ahs after the khutbah
Reported practiceThe prayer itself is two rak'ahs, prayed after the sermon rather than before it.
Who it applies to
Reported practiceJumu'ah applies to adult, resident, able Muslim men, with exemptions such as travel, illness and genuine hardship. Consult a scholar for specific cases.
Before you go
Prepare properly
Preparation removes distraction from the prayer itself.
Perform ghusl
Reported practiceTake the recommended Friday bath and clean yourself before you leave.
Wear clean clothes
Reported practiceChoose clean, presentable clothing and, where appropriate, fragrance.
Plan your time
Original guidanceLeave work and travel arrangements in time. Arriving flustered undermines attention.
Review your wudu
Original guidanceMake sure your wudu is valid before the prayer so you are not catching up during the khutbah.
The sermon
The khutbah is part of the prayer
Listening well is not passive — it is the worship of the moment.
Stop talking
Reported in Sahih al-BukhariWhen the khutbah begins, stop conversation and turn your attention to the imam.
Stay still
Original guidanceAvoid fidgeting, adjusting neighbours or moving unnecessarily during the sermon.
Silence your phone
Original guidanceTurn your phone to silent before you enter, not after it rings.
Take one thing away
Original guidanceListen for a single point you can act on during the coming week.
After the prayer
Continue the day well
The prayer ends, but Friday's acts continue.
Pray the sunnah
Reported practicePray the sunnah prayer that follows Jumu'ah, as reported in guidance.
Make dua
Reported practiceUse the remaining part of Friday for dua, especially in its later hours.
Leave quietly
Original guidanceExit calmly and let others pass rather than pushing through the crowd.
Keep the connection
Original guidanceReach out to someone you have not seen at the mosque recently.
Practical
Jumu'ah preparation
Work through this before the Dhuhr window.
- 01
Confirm your wudu
- 02
Perform Friday ghusl
- 03
Wear clean, presentable clothes
- 04
Leave with time to spare
- 05
Pray the mosque sunnah on arrival
- 06
Silence your phone
- 07
Listen to the full khutbah
- 08
Pray the sunnah after Jumu'ah
Helpful answers
Common questions
Is Jumu'ah obligatory for everyone?+
It applies to adult, resident, able Muslim men, with exemptions such as travel, illness and genuine hardship. Consult a qualified scholar for your specific situation.
How many rak'ahs is Jumu'ah?+
Jumu'ah is two rak'ahs prayed after the khutbah, with the sunnah prayers before and after according to reported practice.
Can I pray Jumu'ah at home?+
Jumu'ah is a congregational prayer. If you cannot attend, pray Dhuhr instead and seek guidance for your circumstances.
What time does Jumu'ah start?+
It is prayed within the Dhuhr window. Local mosque timings vary, so check your mosque's schedule.
A calm hour in a busy week
Jumu'ah is not an interruption to the week; it is the point the week is built around. Prepared properly, it becomes the most focused hour of the seven days.