Friday is the best and most blessed day of the week. On this day there is a special moment when whatever a servant asks of God is granted. In the language of hadith it is called sa’at al-ijabah, the hour of acceptance. In the brief interval between the two sermons the stores of God’s mercy lie open, a rare gain for the believer.
The interval and the hour of acceptance
It is narrated in Sahih Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said of this precious moment on Friday: “This time is from when the imam sits on the pulpit until the prayer is finished.” (Muslim 853)
In the light of this hadith the jurists have said that when the imam sits briefly between the two sermons, it is recommended (mustahabb) for both the imam and the congregation to make supplication silently, in the heart.
No particular supplication is fixed or made obligatory by the Shariah for the time the imam sits between the two sermons of the Friday prayer. As none is prescribed, any one or more of the following may be recited with full attention at this blessed time.
1. Seeking forgiveness
“Astaghfirullah al-azim alladhi la ilaha illa huwa al-hayy al-qayyum wa atubu ilayh.” Or more briefly: “Astaghfirullaha wa atubu ilayh” (I seek God’s forgiveness and turn to Him in repentance).
2. A supplication from the Quran
“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-akhirati hasanatan wa qina adhaban-nar.” Meaning: “Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Surah al-Baqarah, verse 201)
3. For mercy and forgiveness
“Rabbighfir warham wa anta khayrur-rahimin.” Meaning: “My Lord, forgive and have mercy, for You are the best of the merciful.” (Surah al-Muminun, verse 118)
4. Sending blessings on the Prophet
As there is special emphasis on sending many blessings on the Prophet on Friday, a short form such as “Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam” may be recited in this brief time, or the Durud Ibrahim.
The brief interval between the two Friday sermons is a moment of great good fortune and forgiveness for the believer. Using it for the supplications for forgiveness found in the Quran and hadith, without tying oneself to any one fixed prayer, is a way to seek God’s boundless grace and acceptance. May God enable each of us to keep the etiquette of Friday and make proper use of this blessed moment. Amen.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report