WHY JUMMA PRAYER IS MORE IMPORTANT IN MODERN TIMES?

Every Muslim is well aware of the importance of Friday and Jumma Prayer. The whole day is a blessing and beloved Prophet PBUH emphasized on keeping ourselves busy in the remembrance of Almighty Allah. This day is said to be a Mini Eid for Muslims. We are advised to purify ourselves, have a good bath, put on our best clothes and visit the mosque in congregation.

But somehow we misunderstand the concept of Jumma prayer. This is my personal observation. I believe that the purpose of Jumma prayer is to educate Muslims and to bring them closer. Otherwise, it’s just a day like any other day of the week and it’s just a prayer like any other obligatory prayer. But no, the purpose is beyond worshiping. Think about it - especially in today’s era – how busy we are to make a living, how much we have indulged ourselves in useless activities. Do we take out a portion of our daily schedules to learn about Islam? No. We are so busy with everything else that we have forgotten to learn about the most important factor of our lives.

Img Ref

Religion is not just about praising or prostrating to Allah. Religion is a code of conduct and a very important one; in fact, the only one. Religion is a set of instructions on how to live on this earth; religion outlines the limits; religion defines life goals and the actual purpose of life. But how much do we know about religion?

One of the most important rules in life is to keep balance in every aspect and religion emphasizes on it too. Prophet PBUH advised us to keep balance in our religious deeds too. We don’t have to be either a far left or a far right; balance is the key to happiness and peace. We often misunderstand that religion means only worshiping Allah. No, worshiping Allah is just a part of the religion; Allah has advised in Quran to keep balance between DEEN and DUNYA. You neither have to worship Allah 24/7 nor forget about Him at all. You just have to maintain balance. And that’s why only one Jumma Prayer is attributed because Allah knows that worldly affairs will keep us busy. He knows that we won’t have much time to learn about religion throughout the week so the Almighty didn’t burden us. He just wants us to spare a couple of hours only and that too just once a week to learn about our Deen.

Unfortunately, many Muslims don’t even spare such tiny amount of their time. And those who do also have in them people who don’t take it very seriously. They just take it as a mere obligation to fulfill recklessly.

It’s not just about the prostration in this prayer; what’s important is the Sermon intended to enlighten you with the knowledge of Islam. Many people skip the sermon and join the congregation just for the two Rakahs. They miss the purpose of this whole day. This day is meant to educate you about your deen.

So I would request all of you to take this prayer very seriously. You are so busy with your lives that you don’t have any time to learn about your religion, even though now-a-days knowledge is in your palm all the time in the shape of gadgets. So take this opportunity that comes very week. It requires very minimal time from your busy schedule.

I will strongly suggest women too to attend Friday sermons in Mosques. I know that the best prayer for woman is in the house but you too are so busy with your lives so you should also make full use of this day to learn about your religion. Go to the mosques – if convenient – and enlighten yourselves. If for some reasons you can’t attend the Mosque, then follow this advice. When your men leave for the Mosque, listen to an Islamic lecture on tv or mobile. Make a playlist and listen to one video every Friday at the same time of the Jumma prayer.

Now I am not limiting you to just one day. Don’t take it wrong. We should indulge ourselves in learning about Islam every day. It is highly recommended and equally important too. My whole point is that if for some reasons – be it logical or negligence – you can’t spare time in your daily schedule, at least don’t neglect this one important day; in fact, it’s not even a full day, it requires just a couple of hours of your time and that too just once a week.

I will strongly suggest you to read the following articles too:

-IMPORTANCE OF RELIGION IN YOUR LIFE

-CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE TEACHINGS OF OUR PROPHET P.B.U.H

-Dear Muslims, what is HALAL and HARAM?

-LIFE IS A JOURNEY TOWARDS ALLAH