Is vacation permissible in Islam? And is designating Friday as a holiday a correct deduction from the verse: "O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumuʿah, then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew" (62:9), and the concept of the hadith: "Act differently from the Jews and Christians"?

Cessation and rest from worldly work are divided into two types: The first is for a worldly benefit, to energize workers, and this is permissible because the default rule for customs is permissibility. The second is for the purpose of celebration and venerating the day of cessation, which is a matter related to acts of worship. Thus, nothing should be venerated except what the Sharia has venerated, such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

The cessation of work on Fridays in Muslim countries is usually of the first type, to energize workers and free them for their personal tasks, and this is suitable given the Muslims' need to hasten and prepare for Friday prayers. It is disliked to stop working on Fridays out of veneration for the day, similar to the practice of the People of the Book, whereas stopping for rest or to attend to matters of Friday prayers is permissible and good.

Some people's reliance on the verse "then hasten to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business" is incorrect; for the verse is specific only to the time of Friday prayer, and the verse that follows it permits work and seeking livelihood after the prayer. Moreover, the reliance on opposing the Jews and Christians is not sound; for opposing them does not mean leaving work on Fridays out of veneration for it, because this would be imitating them in venerating a specific day of the week by refraining from work.

In conclusion, stopping work on Fridays for rest or to dedicate oneself to the acts of worship on Friday is acceptable, whereas stopping work under the pretext of venerating Friday and refraining from earning a living on it, similar to the actions of the Jews on Saturday, is an innovated and unlawful matter.