Friday sunnas: ghusl, perfume and the answered hour

Friday has its own sunnas distinct from the prayer: the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fixed its complete protocol.

Friday ghusl

Friday's ghusl is obligatory on every adult, as is the siwak and perfume if he finds it.al-Bukhari 880

• Status: obligatory per the literal text (Hanafis and a part of scholars), or strongly urged per the others; its time runs from Friday fajr to the khutba (morning is the best window).
• Siwak and perfume: reported in the same hadith; fine clothing adds (al-Bukhari 883: Ibn 'Umar wore his best clothes).
• The woman attending the prayer: ghusl likewise recommended for her (general scholars' report).

Early arrival and its degrees

When Friday comes, angels stand at the mosque's door noting people in order: the first is like one sacrificing a camel, then a bovine, then a ram, then a chicken, then an egg; when the imam comes out, the registers close and they listen to the reminder.Muslim 848

Arriving early is not a preference: it is an expressly rewarded graduation. The mosque full early is Friday's adornment; occupying places and noise at the imam's arrival: discouraged (Muslim 856).

The answered hour

On Friday there is an hour when the Muslim invokes and asks a thing Allah gives him; it is in the last part of the day.Muslim 853

• Which hour?: the majority identifies it with the last half hour after 'asr; others see it between the two khutbas: multiplying invocations in both windows is the wise way.
• Ghusl, assiduity, silent khutba listening: conditions of full reward; talking during the khutba erases Friday prayer's reward per the hadith (Muslim 851).
• Ibn Baz (Fatawa Nur ala ad-Darb, pp. 239-240) keeps two windows among the most promising: from the imam's sitting on the minbar until the prayer is done (Muslim, from Burayda), and from the 'asr prayer to sunset; all of Friday's hours remain favorable: one multiplies invocation across the whole day.

Practical note

The perfect Friday agenda: ghusl and siwak in the morning, fine garment and perfume, long-early arrival (dhikr until the imam), silent khutba, prayer, then the after-asr hour in invocations: one day worth weeks.