Islamic Fiqh > Prayer > The Friday prayer
For whom Friday prayer is obligatory, its conditions of validity, and the virtues of the week's most important day.
Updated on 06 October 2026 at 10:50 PM
The Friday prayer in full: its conditions (residence, masculinity, health, freedom), the required number, the sermon, what the latecomer catches, and every special case, in the 4 schools.
Al-Hawi al-Kabir by al-Mawardi · Shafi'i school
Chapter: the ghusl of Friday, the khutba and what is obligatory in the Friday prayer. Al-Shafi'i, may Allah be pleased with him, said: "The sunnah is that every adult perform ghusl for Friday; whoever washes after dawn breaks on the day of Friday, that suffices him; and whoever leaves the ghusl need not make it up, for the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "Whoever performs ablution (that day), good; and whoever performs ghusl, it is better.""
Al-Mawardi said: this is indeed as he said. The ghusl of Friday is a chosen sunnah, according to his words (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): "Whoever washes and performs ghusl, comes early and draws near (to the mosque), and attends the khutba, it will be forgiven for what is between the two Fridays."
In his words "he washes and performs ghusl" there are two interpretations. The first: he washes the limbs of ablution and performs ghusl of his whole body.
No: it is an obligation on the capable man; the woman not attending prays dhuhr normally. Her attendance remains permitted and rewarded.
Two rak'as after the sermon, in place of dhuhr, recited aloud.
Pray dhuhr (4 rak'as) at its time: Friday is not made up; dhuhr replaces it for whoever missed it.
No: silence is required, even for good words; talking during the sermon erases Friday's reward (Muslim 851).