Guide to Friday Midday Prayers

In Islam it is obligatory for every Muslim male adult to attend the midday congregational prayer which is conducted on Friday of every week (also known as the jumu’ah salaat or Friday prayer). In particular, Muslims are obliged to attend the Friday prayer every Friday at the nearest prayer venue (usually a mosque or a prayer facility).

The Friday prayer is of a duration of approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Muslims around the world, including Australia, give up this time to participate in the Friday prayer.

In Islam, the Friday prayer is one of the few mandatory congregational prayers. Allah (God) says in the Holy Quran “O you who believe, when [the adhan] call of prayer 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” (62;9). It is a time when Muslims are required to collectively remember Allah (God) and pray together.

Therefore, this ritual prayer is regarded by Muslims as a serious commitment. A Muslim who fails to attend the Friday prayers is considered as committing a sin.