Discover the meaning of the term Al-jmʿa (جمعة) in Islamic vocabulary.
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Updated on 11 April 2026 at 1:05 AM
📖 1 min readA noun derived from al-ijtima' (gathering), like "firq" (division) derives from "iftiraq" (separation). "Day" and "prayer" were annexed to it (as complements), then usage multiplied so much that the complement was omitted. Its plurals are "jama'at" and "juma'", thus (it is defined) in al-Maghrib (the lexicographical work).
An individual obligation (fard 'ayn) whose making up (qada') is not required.
﴿يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِذَا نُودِىَ لِلصَّلَوٰةِ مِن يَوْمِ ٱلْجُمُعَةِ فَٱسْعَوْا۟ إِلَىٰ ذِكْرِ ٱللَّهِ وَذَرُوا۟ ٱلْبَيْعَ ۚ ذَٰلِكُمْ خَيْرٌۭ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ﴾
« O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. »
Surah الجمعة : 9