The Obligation of the jumu’ah Prayer, Its Virtue, Who is Exempt From it, and the Prayer and Sermon Therein

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh|Volume 1|Book 1|Chapter 58

Man Lā Yaḥḍuruh al-Faqīh

Book 1, Chapter 58

The Obligation of the jumu’ah Prayer, Its Virtue, Who is Exempt From it, and the Prayer and Sermon Therein

Hadith #1263

1263 - وَ خَطَبَ أَمِيرُ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ عَلَيْهِ اَلسَّلاَمُ فِي اَلْجُمُعَةِ فَقَالَ: «اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ اَلْوَلِيِّ اَلْحَمِيدِ اَلْحَكِيمِ اَلْمَجِيدِ اَلْفَعَّالِ لِمَا يُرِيدُ عَلاَّمِ اَلْغُيُوبِ وَ خَالِقِ اَلْخَلْقِ وَ مُنْزِلِ اَلْقَطْرِ وَ مُدَبِّرِ أَمْرِ اَلدُّنْيَا وَ اَلْآخِرَةِ وَ وَارِثِ اَلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَ اَلْأَرْضِ اَلَّذِي عَظُمَ شَأْنُهُ فَلاَ شَيْءَ مِثْلُهُ تَوَاضَعَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ لِعَظَمَتِهِ وَ ذَلَّ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ لِعِزَّتِهِ وَ اِسْتَسْلَمَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ لِقُدْرَتِهِ وَ قَرَّ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ قَرَارَهُ لِهَيْبَتِهِ وَ خَضَعَ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ لِمَلَكَتِهِ وَ رُبُوبِيَّتِهِ اَلَّذِي «يُمْسِكُ اَلسَّمٰاءَ أَنْ تَقَعَ عَلَى اَلْأَرْضِ إِلاّٰ بِإِذْنِهِ» وَ أَنْ تَقُومَ اَلسَّاعَةُ إِلاَّ بِأَمْرِهِ وَ أَنْ يَحْدُثَ فِي اَلسَّمَاوَاتِ وَ اَلْأَرْضِ شَيْءٌ إِلاَّ بِعِلْمِهِ نَحْمَدُهُ عَلَى مَا كَانَ وَ نَسْتَعِينُهُ مِنْ أَمْرِنَا عَلَى مَا يَكُونُ وَ نَسْتَغْفِرُهُ وَ نَسْتَهْدِيهِ وَ نَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ مَلِكُ اَلْمُلُوكِ وَ سَيِّدُ اَلسَّادَاتِ وَ جَبَّارُ اَلْأَرْضِ وَ اَلسَّمَاوَاتِ اَلْقَهَّارُ «اَلْكَبِيرُ اَلْمُتَعٰالِ» ، - «ذُو اَلْجَلاٰلِ وَ اَلْإِكْرٰامِ» دَيَّانُ يَوْمِ اَلدِّينِ رَبُّ آبَائِنَا اَلْأَوَّلِينَ وَ نَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ أَرْسَلَهُ بِالْحَقِّ دَاعِياً إِلَى اَلْحَقِّ وَ شَاهِداً عَلَى اَلْخَلْقِ فَبَلَّغَ رِسَالاَتِ رَبِّهِ كَمَا أَمَرَهُ لاَ مُتَعَدِّياً وَ لاَ مُقَصِّراً وَ جَاهَدَ فِي اَللَّهِ أَعْدَاءَهُ لاَ وَانِياً وَ لاَ نَاكِلاً وَ نَصَحَ لَهُ فِي عِبَادِهِ صَابِراً مُحْتَسِباً، فَقَبَضَهُ اَللَّهُ إِلَيْهِ وَ قَدْ رَضِيَ عَمَلَهُ وَ تَقَبَّلَ سَعْيَهُ وَ غَفَرَ ذَنْبَهُ ص أُوصِيكُمْ عِبَادَ اَللَّهِ بِتَقْوَى اَللَّهِوَ اِغْتِنَامِ مَا اِسْتَطَعْتُمْ عَمَلاً بِهِ مِنْ طَاعَتِهِ فِي هَذِهِ اَلْأَيَّامِ اَلْخَالِيَةِ وَ بِالرَّفْضِ لِهَذِهِ اَلدُّنْيَا اَلتَّارِكَةِ لَكُمْ وَ إِنْ لَمْ تَكُونُوا تُحِبُّونَ تَرْكَهَا وَ اَلْمُبْلِيَةِ لَكُمْ وَ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ تَجْدِيدَهَا فَإِنَّمَا مَثَلُكُمْ وَ مَثَلُهَا كَرَكْبٍ سَلَكُوا سَبِيلاً فَكَأَنْ قَدْ قَطَعُوهُ وَ أَفْضَوْا إِلَى عَلَمٍ فَكَأَنْ قَدْ بَلَغُوهُ وَ كَمْ عَسَى اَلْمُجْرَى إِلَى اَلْغَايَةِ أَنْ يُجْرَى إِلَيْهَا حَتَّى يَبْلُغَهَا وَ كَمْ عَسَى أَنْ يَكُونَ بَقَاءُ مَنْ لَهُ يَوْمٌ لاَ يَعْدُوهُ وَ طَالِبٍ حَثِيثٍ فِي اَلدُّنْيَا يَحْدُوهُ حَتَّى يُفَارِقَهَا فَلاَ تَتَنَافَسُوا فِي عِزِّ اَلدُّنْيَا وَ فَخْرِهَا وَ لاَ تُعْجَبُوا بِزِينَتِهَا وَ نَعِيمِهَا وَ لاَ تَجْزَعُوا مِنْ ضَرَّائِهَا وَ بُؤْسِهَا فَإِنَّ عِزَّ اَلدُّنْيَا وَ فَخْرَهَا إِلَى اِنْقِطَاعٍ وَ إِنَّ زِينَتَهَا وَ نَعِيمَهَا إِلَى زَوَالٍ وَ إِنَّ ضَرَّاءَهَا وَ بُؤْسَهَا إِلَى نَفَادٍ وَ كُلُّ مُدَّةٍ مِنْهَا إِلَى مُنْتَهًى وَ كُلُّ حَيٍّ مِنْهَا إِلَى فَنَاءٍ وَ بَلاَءٍ أَ وَ لَيْسَ لَكُمْ فِي آثَارِ اَلْأَوَّلِينَ وَ فِي آبَائِكُمُ اَلْمَاضِينَ مُعْتَبَرٌ وَ تَبْصِرَةٌ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْقِلُونَ أَ لَمْ تَرَوْا إِلَى اَلْمَاضِينَ مِنْكُمْ لاَ يَرْجِعُونَ وَ إِلَى اَلْخَلَفِ اَلْبَاقِينَ مِنْكُمْ لاَ يَقِفُونَ قَالَ اَللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَ تَعَالَى، «وَ حَرٰامٌ عَلىٰ قَرْيَةٍ أَهْلَكْنٰاهٰا أَنَّهُمْ لاٰ يَرْجِعُونَ» وَقَالَ «كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذٰائِقَةُ اَلْمَوْتِ وَ إِنَّمٰا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ اَلْقِيٰامَةِ فَمَنْ زُحْزِحَ عَنِ اَلنّٰارِ وَ أُدْخِلَ اَلْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فٰازَ وَ مَا اَلْحَيٰاةُ اَلدُّنْيٰا إِلاّٰ مَتٰاعُ اَلْغُرُورِ» أَ وَ لَسْتُمْ تَرَوْنَ إِلَى أَهْلِ اَلدُّنْيَا وَ هُمْ يُصْبِحُونَ وَ يُمْسُونَ عَلَى أَحْوَالٍ شَتَّى فَمَيِّتٌ يُبْكَى وَ آخَرُ يُعَزَّى وَ صَرِيعٌ يَتَلَوَّى وَ عَائِدٌ وَ مَعُودٌ وَ آخَرُ بِنَفْسِهِ يَجُودُ وَ طَالِبُ اَلدُّنْيَا وَ اَلْمَوْتُ يَطْلُبُهُ وَ غَافِلٌ وَ لَيْسَ بِمَغْفُولٍ عَنْهُ وَ عَلَى أَثَرِ اَلْمَاضِينَ يَمْضِي اَلْبَاقُونَ «وَ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ رَبِّ اَلْعٰالَمِينَ» رَبِّ اَلسَّمَاوَاتِ اَلسَّبْعِ وَ رَبِّ اَلْأَرَضِينَ اَلسَّبْعِ وَ رَبِّ اَلْعَرْشِ اَلْعَظِيمِ اَلَّذِي يَبْقَى وَ يَفْنَى مَا سِوَاهُ وَ إِلَيْهِ يَئُولُ اَلْخَلْقُ وَ يَرْجِعُ اَلْأَمْرُ أَلاَ إِنَّ هَذَا اَلْيَوْمَ يَوْمٌ جَعَلَهُ اَللَّهُ لَكُمْ عِيداً وَ هُوَ سَيِّدُ أَيَّامِكُمْ وَ أَفْضَلُ أَعْيَادِكُمْ وَ قَدْ أَمَرَكُمُ اَللَّهُ فِي كِتَابِهِ بِالسَّعْيِ فِيهِ إِلَى ذِكْرِهِ فَلْتَعْظُمْ رَغْبَتُكُمْ فِيهِ وَ لْتَخْلُصْ نِيَّتُكُمْ فِيهِ وَ أَكْثِرُوا فِيهِ اَلتَّضَرُّعَ وَ اَلدُّعَاءَ وَ مَسْأَلَةَ اَلرَّحْمَةِ وَ اَلْغُفْرَانِ فَإِنَّ اَللَّهَ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ يَسْتَجِيبُ لِكُلِّ مَنْ دَعَاهُ وَ يُورِدُ اَلنَّارَ مَنْ عَصَاهُ وَ كُلَّ مُسْتَكْبِرٍ عَنْ عِبَادَتِهِ قَالَ اَللَّهُ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ: «اُدْعُونِي أَسْتَجِبْ لَكُمْ إِنَّ اَلَّذِينَ يَسْتَكْبِرُونَ عَنْ عِبٰادَتِي سَيَدْخُلُونَ جَهَنَّمَ دٰاخِرِينَ» وَ فِيهِ سَاعَةٌ مُبَارَكَةٌ لاَ يَسْأَلُ اَللَّهَ عَبْدٌ مُؤْمِنٌ فِيهَا شَيْئاً إِلاَّ أَعْطَاهُ وَ اَلْجُمُعَةُ وَاجِبَةٌ عَلَى كُلِّ مُؤْمِنٍ إِلاَّ عَلَى اَلصَّبِيِّ وَ اَلْمَرِيضِ وَ اَلْمَجْنُونِ وَ اَلشَّيْخِ اَلْكَبِيرِ وَ اَلْأَعْمَى وَ اَلْمُسَافِرِ وَ اَلْمَرْأَةِ وَ اَلْعَبْدِ اَلْمَمْلُوكِ وَ مَنْ كَانَ عَلَى رَأْسِ فَرْسَخَيْنِ غَفَرَ اَللَّهُ لَنَا وَ لَكُمْ سَالِفَ ذُنُوبِنَا فِيمَا خَلاَ مِنْ أَعْمَارِنَا وَ عَصَمَنَا وَ إِيَّاكُمْ مِنِ اِقْتِرَافِ اَلْآثَامِ بَقِيَّةَ أَيَّامِ دَهْرِنَا إِنَّ أَحْسَنَ اَلْحَدِيثِ وَ أَبْلَغَ اَلْمَوْعِظَةِ، كِتَابُ اَللَّهِ عَزَّ وَ جَلَّ أَعُوذُ بِاللَّهِ مِنَ اَلشَّيْطَانِ اَلرَّجِيمِ إِنَّ اَللَّهَ «هُوَ اَلْفَتّٰاحُ اَلْعَلِيمُ» «بِسْمِ اَللّٰهِ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ اَلرَّحِيمِ» ثُمَّ يَبْدَأُ بَعْدَ اَلْحَمْدِ بِ‍ «قُلْ هُوَ اَللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ» أَوْ بِ‍ «قُلْ يٰا أَيُّهَا اَلْكٰافِرُونَ» أَوْ بِ‍ «إِذٰا زُلْزِلَتِ اَلْأَرْضُ زِلْزٰالَهٰا» أَوْ بِ‍ «أَلْهٰاكُمُ اَلتَّكٰاثُرُ» أَوْ بِالْعَصْرِ وَ كَانَ مِمَّا يَدُومُ عَلَيْهِ «قُلْ هُوَ اَللّٰهُ أَحَدٌ» » ثُمَّ يَجْلِسُ جِلْسَةً خَفِيفَةً ثُمَّ يَقُومُ فَيَقُولُ « اَلْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ نَحْمَدُهُ وَ نَسْتَعِينُهُ وَ نُؤْمِنُ/بِهِ وَ نَتَوَكَّلُ عَلَيْهِ وَ نَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اَللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَ أَنَّ مُحَمَّداً عَبْدُهُ وَ رَسُولُهُ صَلَوَاتُُ اَللَّهِ وَ سَلاَمُهُ عَلَيْهِ وَ آلِهِ وَ مَغْفِرَتُهُ وَ رِضْوَانُهُ اَللَّهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ عَبْدِكَ وَ رَسُولِكَ وَ نَبِيِّكَ صَلاَةً نَامِيَةً زَاكِيَةً تَرْفَعُ بِهَا دَرَجَتَهُ وَ تُبَيِّنُ بِهَا فَضْلَهُ وَ صَلِّ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ وَ بَارِكْ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ وَ آلِ مُحَمَّدٍ كَمَا صَلَّيْتَ وَ بَارَكْتَ وَ تَرَحَّمْتَ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَ آلِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ إِنَّكَ حَمِيدٌ مَجِيدٌ اَللَّهُمَّ عَذِّبْ كَفَرَةَ أَهْلِ اَلْكِتَابِ اَلَّذِينَ يَصُدُّونَ عَنْ سَبِيلِكَ وَ يَجْحَدُونَ آيَاتِكَ وَ يُكَذِّبُونَ رُسُلَكَ اَللَّهُمَّ خَالِفْ بَيْنَ كَلِمَتِهِمْ وَ أَلْقِ اَلرُّعْبَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ أَنْزِلْ عَلَيْهِمْ رِجْزَكَ وَ نَقِمَتَكَ وَ بَأْسَكَ اَلَّذِي لاَ تَرُدُّهُ عَنِ اَلْقَوْمِ اَلْمُجْرِمِينَ اَللَّهُمَّ اُنْصُرْ جُيُوشَ اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ سَرَايَاهُمْ وَ مُرَابِطِيهِمْ فِي مَشَارِقِ اَلْأَرْضِ وَ مَغَارِبِهَا «إِنَّكَ عَلىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ» اَللَّهُمَّ اِغْفِرْ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ اَلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَ اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ اَلْمُسْلِمَاتِ اَللَّهُمَّ اِجْعَلِ اَلتَّقْوَى زَادَهُمْ وَ اَلْإِيمَانَ وَ اَلْحِكْمَةَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ وَ أَوْزِعْهُمْ أَنْ يَشْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَكَ اَلَّتِي أَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيْهِمْ وَ أَنْ يُوفُوا بِعَهْدِكَ اَلَّذِي عَاهَدْتَهُمْ عَلَيْهِ إِلَهَ اَلْحَقِّ وَ خَالِقَ اَلْخَلْقِ اَللَّهُمَّ اِغْفِرْ لِمَنْ تُوُفِّيَ مِنَ اَلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَ اَلْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَ اَلْمُسْلِمِينَ وَ اَلْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَ لِمَنْ هُوَ لاَحِقٌ بِهِمْ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ مِنْهُمْ «إِنَّكَ أَنْتَ اَلْعَزِيزُ اَلْحَكِيمُ»: «إِنَّ اَللّٰهَ يَأْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَ اَلْإِحْسٰانِ وَ إِيتٰاءِ ذِي اَلْقُرْبىٰ وَ يَنْهىٰ عَنِ اَلْفَحْشٰاءِ وَ اَلْمُنْكَرِ وَ اَلْبَغْيِ يَعِظُكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ» اُذْكُرُوا اَللَّهَ يَذْكُرْكُمْ، فَإِنَّهُ ذَاكِرٌ لِمَنْ ذَكَرَهُ وَ اِسْأَلُوا اَللَّهَ مِنْ رَحْمَتِهِ وَ فَضْلِهِ فَإِنَّهُ لاَ يَخِيبُ عَلَيْهِ دَاعٍ دَعَاهُ: «رَبَّنٰا آتِنٰا فِي اَلدُّنْيٰا حَسَنَةً وَ فِي اَلْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَ قِنٰا عَذٰابَ اَلنّٰارِ » »

Hadith.1263 - The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib delivered a sermon on Jumu’ah, saying: "Praise be to Allah , the Praiseworthy Guardian, the Wise, the Glorious, who acts as He wills. He is the Knower of the unseen, the Creator of creation, the Sender of rain, the Director of the affairs of the world and the Hereafter, and the Inheritor of the heavens and the earth. His greatness is unparalleled; every thing is humbled before His greatness, every thing submits to His majesty, every thing surrenders to His power, every thing stands still at His awe, every thing is subdued by His sovereignty and Lord ship. It is He who 'holds the heavens from falling upon the earth except by His permission,' and nothing happens in the heavens and the earth except with His knowledge. We praise Him for what has passed, we seek His assistance for what lies ahead, we seek His forgiveness, and we seek His guidance. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah , alone, with no partner. He is the Sovereign of the kings, the Lord of the Lord s, the Master of the heavens and the earth, the Compeller of all creation. He is 'The Great, the Most High,' 'The Glorious and the Honorable,' the Judge of the Day of Judgment and the Lord of our forefathers and ancestors. We also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. He was sent with the truth, inviting people to the truth and bearing witness over them. He fulfilled the messages of his Lord as he was commanded, neither transgressing nor falling short. He strove for the sake of Allah against His enemies without slackening or hesitating. He advised Allah concerning His servants, being patient and hopeful for reward. Allah then took him unto Himself while He was pleased with his efforts, accepted his endeavors, and forgave his sins. I advise you, O’ servants of Allah , to fear Allah and to seize every opportunity to obey Him during these transient days. Be wary of this world that will leave you behind even if you cling to it. Though you may wish to stay in it, and it may wear you out though you love to renew it. Your example and the example of this world are like that of travelers who have embarked upon a journey, and they soon reach their destination. How short is the span of one whose days are numbered, how fleeting is the life of one whose end is decreed! Do not vie for honor and pride in this world. Do not be dazzled by its beauty or pleasures. And do not despair from its trials and tribulations, for the pride of this world will cease, its beauty will vanish, its trials and hardships will come to an end. Every duration within it has an end, and every living being within it faces decay and demise. Have you not seen the lessons of those before you? Are you not aware of your past ancestors? Do you not see how they have passed and do not return, while those left behind will soon follow? Allah says: 'It is forbidden for a town that We have destroyed to return,' and 'Every soul shall taste death, and you will only be given your full rewards on the Day of Resurrection; so whoever is removed from the Fire and is admitted to Paradise has indeed succeeded. The life of this world is nothing but the enjoyment of deception.' Do you not see the people of this world? They wake up and go to sleep in different states—some mourn the dead, others console the bereaved, some writhe in agony, others comfort or are comforted, while another battles his own soul. The pursuer of worldly gain is pursued by death; some are heedless, though they are not forgotten. As you watch the procession of those who passed, know that you too will follow in their footsteps. Praise be to Allah , the Lord of the worlds, the Lord of the seven heavens and the seven earths, the Lord of the Mighty Throne. He is eternal, while all else perishes, and to Him returns all creation and every matter. This day is one which Allah has made for you as a festival. It is the master of all your days, and the best of your festivals. Allah has commanded you in His Book to strive towards His remembrance on this day, so let your desires be strong and pure, and increase your supplication and invocation, asking for His mercy and forgiveness. Indeed, Allah , the Almighty, answers every sincere supplication and will punish those who disobey Him. Every arrogant one who turns away from His worship shall enter Hell in humiliation, as Allah says: 'Call upon Me, I will respond to you. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell in disgrace.' In this day is a blessed hour in which no believing servant asks Allah for anything but that He grants it. The Jumu’ah prayer is obligatory upon every believer, except for children, the sick, the insane, the elderly, the blind, travelers, women, and slaves. May Allah forgive us and you for our past sins and protect us and you from falling into sin in the remaining days of our lives. Indeed, the best speech and the most profound counsel is the Book of Allah , the Almighty. I seek refuge with Allah from the accursed Satan: 'Indeed, Allah is the Opener, the All-Knowing.' 'In the name of Allah , the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.' Then recite either: 'Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad' (Surah Al-Ikhlas) or ‘Qul ya-ayyuhal kaafirun’ (Surah al-Kafirun) or ‘Al haaku mut takathur’ (Surah Al-Takathur) or ‘Innaa anzalna’ (Surah Al Qadr)or 'By time.' He would regularly recite: 'Qul Huwa Allahu Ahad' (Surah Al-Ikhlas) Then, he would sit briefly and rise, saying: 'Praise be to Allah ; we praise Him, seek His help, believe in Him, and rely on Him. We bear witness that there is no god but Allah , alone without partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. May the peace, blessings, forgiveness, and pleasure of Allah be upon him and his family. O’ Allah , bless Muhammad, Your servant and messenger, and grant him growth and purity; raise his rank and show his excellence.' 'O’ Allah , bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You blessed and showed mercy upon Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim ; You are the Praised, the Glorious. O’ Allah , punish the disbelievers among the People of the Book who obstruct Your path, reject Your signs, and deny Your messengers. O’ Allah , divide their unity, fill their hearts with fear, send Your wrath, vengeance, and unrelenting punishment upon the criminal people. O’ Allah , grant victory to the armies and troops of the Muslims in the east and west of the earth.' 'Verily, You are over all things competent. O’ Allah , forgive the believers, both men and women, and the Muslims, both men and women. O’ Allah , grant them provision in piety, fill their hearts with faith and wisdom, and make them grateful for Your blessings. Fulfil Your covenant with them, O’ Lord of truth and Creator of creation. O’ Allah , forgive the deceased among the believers, and make a good successor of those left behind.' 'Indeed, Allah commands justice, good conduct, and giving to relatives, and forbids immorality, wrongdoing, and oppression. He admonishes you that you may take heed.' Remember Allah , and He will remember you. Ask Him for His mercy and bounty; He will not disappoint a supplicant who invokes Him: 'Our Lord , give us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and save us from the punishment of the Fire.'"