What is the ruling on arriving for Friday prayer after the preacher has ascended the pulpit?
It is recommended for a Muslim to go early to the mosque on Friday due to the immense reward it entails. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever takes a bath on Friday similar to the Janabah bath, then goes to the mosque, it is as if he sacrificed a camel. And whoever goes in the second hour, it is as if he sacrificed a cow. And whoever goes in the third hour, it is as if he sacrificed a horned ram. And whoever goes in the fourth hour, it is as if he sacrificed a chicken. And whoever goes in the fifth hour, it is as if he sacrificed an egg. Then, when the Imam comes out, the angels attend to listen to the remembrance." And in the Hadith of Aws ibn Abi Aws al-Thaqafi: "Whoever washes and takes a bath on Friday, and comes early and is present from the beginning, and walks and does not ride, and draws near to the Imam and listens and does not engage in idle talk, for every step he takes, he will have the reward of a year's worth of fasting and prayer." Umar criticized Uthman for being late after the call to prayer on Friday, pointing out that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When one of you comes to Friday prayer, let him take a bath." Whoever arrives after the Khateeb (preacher) has ascended the pulpit misses out on a great reward, and one should be keen to hasten to do good deeds.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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