Question # 86: Is it correct to greet Juma’ah Mubarak? I see many such messages on the social media sites as well.

bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: Greeting ‘Jumu‘ah Mubarak’ comes under the heading of du‘aa’s and dhikrs, which must be based on a text (of the Qur’an or Sunnah) because this is purely the matter of worship and if it were good, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and his Companions (رضي الله عنه) would have done it before us. Hence, no doubt that Friday is an ‘Eid’ of the week for the Muslims but greeting ‘Jumu‘ah Mubarak’ is bid’ah according to scholars.

Long Answer: It was narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas said: ““The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: ‘This day is an ‘Eid (festival) which Allah has ordained for the Muslims. Whoever comes to Friday (prayer), let him take a bath and if he has perfume then let him put some on. And upon you (I urge to use) is the miswak (tooth stick).” (Narrated by Ibn Majah, Graded Hasan)

In another hadith he (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the first on the Day of Resurrection though the former nations were given the Scriptures before us. This (Friday) was their day of celebration which was made compulsory for them but they differed about it. So Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people follow us in this respect.”‘ (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “It was Friday from which Allah diverted those who were before us. For the Jews (the day set aside for prayer) was Saturday, and for the Christians it was Sunday. When Allah sent us (Muslims), He guided us to Friday (as the day of prayer) for us.” (Sahih Muslim)

So it is clear from the above ahadith that Friday is the most auspicious day of the week.

“[However,] as for congratulating one another on the occasion of Friday, what seems to us to be the case is that it is not prescribed, because the fact that Friday is an Eid was known to the Sahaabah (رضي الله عنه), and they were more knowledgeable than us about its virtues, and they were keen to respect it and give it its due, but there is no report to suggest that they used to congratulate one another on Fridays. And all goodness is in following them (رضي الله عنه).

Shaykh Saalih ibn Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) said “The early generation did not congratulate one another on Fridays, so we should not introduce anything that they did not do.” (Ajwabat As’ilah Majallat al-Da‘wah al-Islamiyyah)

A similar fatwa was issued by Shaykh Sulayman al-Maajid (may Allah preserve him), when he said: “We do not think it is prescribed to exchange congratulations on Fridays, such as saying to one another, “Jumu‘ah mubarak” and so on, because it comes under the heading of du‘aa’s and dhikrs, which must be based on a text (of the Qur’an or Sunnah) because this is purely the matter of worship and if it were good, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) and his Companions (رضي الله عنه) would have done it before us…”” (Shaykh Muhammad Saalih al-Munajjid)

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said: “Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a going astray.” (Narrated by Abu Dawood, classed as sahih by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood)

Also Narrated by Salama (رضي الله عنه) “I heard the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) saying, “Whoever (intentionally) ascribes to me what I have not said then (surely) let him occupy his seat in Hell-fire.” (Al-Bukhari)

In another report, Aisha’h (رضي الله عنه) narrated: The Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said, “Whoever performs a deed that is not in accordance with our matter will have it rejected.” (Muslim)

Hence, Muslims should avoid innovations and beware of them and should strive to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah, without adding anything or taking anything away, for Allah has perfected this religion: “This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion” [Soorah al-Maa’idah, 5:3]

The Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) did not die until he had conveyed the message from his Lord in full. He did not leave anything good but he enjoined it upon us, and he did not leave anything bad but he forbade it to us and warned us against it.

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam