Friday; day of worship, fall of tyranny

Khateeb of Ahl-us-Sunnah in Zahedan, Shaikh-ul-Islam Mawlana Abdol-Hameed Ismaeelzahi, talked about the importance and value of Friday in the Islamic point of view. He started his sermon by reciting holy verse: « يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نُودِي لِلصَّلَاةِ مِن يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ فَاسْعَوْا إِلَى ذِكْرِ اللَّهِ وَذَرُوا الْبَيْعَ ذَلِكُمْ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ» [الجمعة: 9], (O you who believe, when the call for Salah (prayer) is proclaimed on Friday, hasten for the remembrance of Allah, and leave off business. That is much better for you, if you but know.)

He pointed on the topic, ‘The day of Friday is very valuable that has lots of virtues. Many important events took place on Fridays; Allah Exalted created Adam on Friday and on the same day he was sent to the earth from Paradise. The Resurrection Day would be on Friday; it is a vital and life-and-death day.’

Shaikh Ismaeelzahi added more saying that Friday has been a consequential day in the history; on this day Islam has been preaching and Muslims get new lives. Nations uprise to remove tyranny and injustice on Fridays. People have been taking benefits of Fridays in the recent revolutions and uprisings to step down despot rulers; many of them had succeeded.

Addressing tens of thousands in the Grand Makki mosque, he underlined, ‘Friday is the day of worship and establishing Friday prayers. It is regretful that some people think it is the day of joy and travel; while it is the day of worship, Eid and gathering Muslims. Allah likes His servants’ gathering on this day. So, Muslims should take bath and perfume on Fridays following the great sayings of Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and get ready for Friday prayers.’

Pointing out to the importance of Salah, prayer, in congregation, Shaikh Abdol-Hameed further said that prayer with congregation has been emphasized in Shari’ah very much. It is “Sunnat-e-Mu’akkadah”, urged Sunnah, according some scholars and “Wajeb”, essential, in view of some others. If somebody offers prayers alone without congregation, his example is a dissenter sheep that avoids herd; it will be victim of wolfs. In the same way, the one who offers prayers alone will be easy target of Satan.

Khateeb of Sunnis called on the audience to participate Friday gatherings and prayers withstandly. It is a very vital issue; a Hadeeth suggests that Allah would set a seal on hearts of those who do not offer Friday prayers without any reasonable excuse. Allah forgives sins of ten days for participants of Friday prayers.

Nakedness is the sign of ignorance:

The eminent Islamic scholar went on to indicate towards the issue of Hijab saying, ‘Neglegence in veiling and Hijab is contrary to dignity of Muslim sisters. “Muslim” means to be dutiful and carry out whatever Islam commands. It is not suitable for Muslim women to show off their beauties and jwellry before non-Mahram men. Allah orders: «ولاتبرجن تبرج الجاهلیة الاولی» (and do not display (your) beauty as it used to be displayed in the days of earlier ignorance). Haya, modesty, is a part of faith, Eeman, and Holy prophet criticized immodest women.’

Shaikh urged saying that wrong imitation of some satellite TV channels and their half-naked broadcasters spread immodesty and shamelessness in the society. Such half-naked women are backward mentally; women’s value does not lay on nakedness as some foreign TV channels propagate, rather women can get virtues by seeking knwoledge and morals.

He further said that the best examples of advanced women are Ayeshah, Fatimah, Khadijah, Maryam and Asiah, may Allah be pleased with them, and Muslim women should follow them step by step taking part in development of the society along with men.

At the end, Khateeb of Zahedan underlined saying that it is disgrace for a Muslim women to neglect Islamic veil and Hijab.