Friday Blessings

The day of Friday holds many blessings. It is on a Friday that there is an hour or time in which duas are answered by Allah (SWT), so it recommended to seek forgiveness on Fridays and make abundant dua - “There is a time on Friday at which a Muslim, while he (or she) is performing Salat and is supplicating, will be granted whatever he (or she) is supplicating for.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

To reap the blessings of Friday one can recite Salawat upon the Prophet (PBUH).

Salawat

There is a lot of reward in sending blessings and salutations upon the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) on Fridays, as this is a special day. One can recite the following:

Allahumma SalliI Ala Muhammadiw Wa Ala Aali Muhammadin Kamaa Sal’laita Ala Ibrahima Wa Ala Aali Ibrahima Inna’ka Hamidum Majid. Allahumma Baarik Ala Muhammadiw Wa Ala Aali Muhammadin Kamaa Baarakta Ala Ibrahima Wa Ala Aali Ibrahima Inna’ka Hamidum Majid.

This means: O Allah, let Your Blessings come upon Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and the family of Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious. Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you have blessed Ibrahim and his family. Truly, You are Praiseworthy and Glorious.

Why is Salawat Important?

Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) said: “On the day of Judgment the person closest to me will be the one who has sent the most Durood into me.” (Tirmidhi).

Gain Friday Blessings

We should also strive to read Surah Al-Kahf on Fridays. This surah protects us from the Dajjal and protects us from one Friday to the next. If you struggle to read the full surah, aim to read the first 10 and last 10 verses.

Doing dhikr on a Friday is also recommended. You could attend a gathering and do it with a community or a larger group of people, or you could do it alone in your home.

Here is some dhikr that you can recite this Friday to seek Allah’s (SWT) pleasure:

• SubhanAllah – Glory to God
• Alhamdulillah – All Praise be to God
• Allahu Akbar – God is the Greatest
• Astaghfirullah – I seek forgiveness from Allah
• La Ilaha Illa Allah – There is no god but Allah

Friday Charity

Giving charity at any time holds a lot of reward, but even more so on a Friday. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “Every joint of a person must perform a charity each day that the sun rises: to judge justly between two people is a charity. To help a man with his mount, lifting him onto it or hoisting up his belongings onto it, is a charity. And the good word is a charity. And every step that you take towards the prayer is a charity, and removing a harmful object from the road is a charity.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

There are many acts of charity you can do on a Friday:

• Donate some money to a charity
• Give food to those in need
• Visit the sick
• Help an elderly person
• Spread knowledge of the deen – Sadaqah Jariyah
• Smile! It is a Sunnah

Why Should You Give Charity?

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) set an example for us to follow. Like him, we should be generous and happy to help others, whether it be in the form of financial donations, or by making dua for someone, or even by smiling.

In a hadith, Muhammad, upon him be peace, said: "When a man dies, his deeds come to an end except for three things: Sadaqah Jariyah (ceaseless charity); a knowledge which is beneficial, or a virtuous descendant who prays for him (for the deceased)." (Muslim)

This suggests that we should perform acts of charity, including ones that will have an ongoing effect. Examples of Sadaqah Jariyah (ongoing charity) include the following:

• Planting a tree – anyone who eats from it or seeks shelter from the sun under it will be reward for you.
• Teaching knowledge – passing on knowledge to others to get reward for it.
• Help to build a mosque – you will get reward for those who pray in it.
• Gift a Qur’an to someone – every time they read from it, you will receive reward too.
• Gift a woman a hijab – anytime she wears it you will also get reward.
• Donate a wheelchair to a hospital – any time a patient uses it you will be rewarded.

Donate to UKIM

You can donate to UKIM this Friday to reap the rewards of this blessed day! UKIM uses your donations for different projects, such as helping survivors of earthquakes, feeding people who are fasting, building mosques, educating children and caring for orphans.

The Prophet, upon him be peace, said: “Give charity without delay, for it stands in the way of calamity.” (Al-Tirmidhi)