What Surah to Read on Friday

Friday, known as the day of congregational prayer and special blessings, holds great significance in Islam. It is a day of spiritual rejuvenation, seeking forgiveness, and drawing closer to Allah. On Fridays, Muslims strive to increase their devotion and seek blessings from Allah.  Here we will discuss in detail regarding What Surah to Read on Friday.

Friday, a day of immense significance for Muslims, is marked by the following key elements

• Jummah prayers
• Special congregational worship
• Increased blessings
• Opportunity for forgiveness
• Spiritual significance
• Commemoration of creation
• Gathering of the Muslim community
• Reflection on the Hereafter
• Blessed day for seeking Allah’s mercy
• Emphasis on congregational unity

What Surah to Read on Friday?

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said, “The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday; on it, Adam was created, on it he was admitted to Paradise, on it he was expelled from it. And the Hour will not be established except on Friday.” 

(Sahih Sahih Muslim 854b)

There are various surahs in the Quran that can be recited on Friday but Surah Al-Kahf and Surah Al-Jumu’ah are the most recommended ones. 

1. Surah Al-Kahf: The Crown Jewel of Fridays

Surah Al-Kahf, the 18th chapter of the Quran, is often referred to as the “Crown Jewel of Fridays.” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized reading surah Kahf on Friday as it carries immense blessings.

There are various authentic hadith on Surah Al- Kahf

A man was reciting Surat Al-Kahf and his horse was tied with two ropes beside him. A cloud came down and spread over that man, and it kept on coming closer and closer to him till his horse started jumping (as if afraid of something). When it was morning, the man came to the Prophet and told him of that experience. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “That was As-Sakina (tranquillity) which descended because of (the recitation of) the Qur’an.” 

Sahih al-Bukhari 5011

Prophet (PBUH) also said ‘’Whoever recites Surat al-Kahf on Friday, a light will shine for him between this Friday and the next.’’

Narrated by al-Haakim, 2/399; al-Bayhaqi, 3/249. It was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami’, 6470

2. Protection From False Messiah (Dajjal)

Reading Surah Kahf on Friday doesn’t only give spiritual benefits but it also will protect Muslims from False Messiah.

There are various narrations supporting that

If anyone learns by heart the first ten verses of the Surah al-Kahf, he will be protected from the Dajjal.  

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 809

3. Surah Jummah

Surah Al-Jumu’ah, (The Friday) is the 62nd chapter of the Quran. There are no specific hadiths that mention Surah Al-Jumu’ah exclusively but the surah holds immense knowledge and treasure. As Muslims, it’s our responsibility to read and understand Quran and also to implement Allha’s message in our life.

4. Other Surahs

There are some surahs that the Prophet (PBUH) recited daily and told his companions to do so including surah Surah Al-Kafirun, Surah Al-A’la, Surat-al-Falaq and Surat-an- Nas. These surahs can also be recited on Friday.

Prophet (PBUH) narrated ‘’Glorify the Name of Your Lord, the Most High” (Surah Al-A’la), “Say: O You disbelievers” (Surah Al-Kafirun), and “Say: He is Allah, (the) One” (Surah Al-Ikhlas)’’

Sunan an-Nasa’i 1703

Hazrat Umar (RAW) once said ‘’I watched the Prophet (ﷺ) for a month, and in the two Rak’ah before Fajr he used to recite: “Say: O you disbelievers!” [Al-Kafirun (109)] and “Say: Allah is One.” [Al- Ikhlas (112)]‘’

Sunan Ibn Majah 1149

Hazrat Ayesha said ‘’Whenever Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) went to bed, he used to recite Surat-al-Ikhlas, Surat-al-Falaq and Surat-an- Nas and then blow on his palms and pass them over his face and those parts of his body that his hands could reach. And when he fell ill, he used to order me to do like that for him.’’

Sahih al-Bukhari 5748

What Should We Do On Friday?

1. Dikhars

Dhikr (remembrance) is an important practice in Islam that involves the repetitive utterance of specific phrases or prayers to remember Allah and seek His forgiveness. It purifies the heart and increases faith.

The Prophet (ﷺ) said “The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is:’اللَّهُمَّ أَنْتَ رَبِّي، لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ، خَلَقْتَنِي وَأَنَا عَبْدُكَ، وَأَنَا عَلَى عَهْدِكَ وَوَعْدِكَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ، أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّ مَا صَنَعْتُ، أَبُوءُ لَكَ بِنِعْمَتِكَ عَلَىَّ وَأَبُوءُ لَكَ بِذَنْبِي، فَاغْفِرْ لِي، فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَغْفِرُ الذُّنُوبَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ” 

The Prophet (ﷺ) added. “If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 6306

There are various dhikr that a person can do every day. Engaging in dhikr and seeking forgiveness from Allah allow us to strengthen our connection with Him, seek His mercy, and attain spiritual purification.

2. Jumman Prayer

Friday prayer, also known as Jumu’ah prayer, is a significant congregational prayer. It’s obligatory on every Muslim. The Jummah prayer consists of two Rakat that are led by our Iman, After the Friday prayer, there is a live sermon given by Iman.

3. Sending Blessings

We should send as many blessings to our beloved Prophet (PBUH) as possible.
Our Messanger (PBUH) once said ‘’He who blesses me once, Allah would bless him ten times.’’ 

Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 408

4. Charity

There isn’t any hadith that specifies to give charity only on Friday. It is important to note that acts of charity are highly encouraged and rewarded in Islam regardless of the day. Muslims are encouraged to give charity frequently and generously.

5. Supplications

There is an hour on Friday when Allah accepts any dua or supplication. The majority of scholars agree that the time lies between Asar and Maghrib.

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “On Friday, there is an hour when, if a Muslim slave asks Allah for something at that time, He will give it to him.“

Sunan an-Nasa’i 1431

Our Prophet (PBUH) also narrated ‘’ On Friday, there is an hour when, if a Muslim slave stands in prayer and asks Allah for something at that time, He will give it to him. ‘’ He was reducing it: lessening it.

Sunan an-Nasa’i 1432

Conclusion

Friday is a day of worship, self-improvement and personal development. We as Muslims have a responsibility to read and understand Quran, listen to Friday’s sermon and implement that teaching in our daily lives.

At eQuranekareem, our online Quran learning platform, we encourage our students to engage in the recitation of Surah Al-Kahf and other beneficial Surahs on Fridays. By incorporating these practices into your weekly routine, you can make the most of this blessed day and draw nearer to Allah. May Allah bless us all with the ability to recite His words with sincerity and understanding.