The rules of the adhan for Friday
Why Friday has two calls to prayer, when each is given, and why trading is not allowed once the first one is heard.
Friday has two calls to prayer (adhan), not just one, like the other five daily prayers, but with an extra one added just for Jumu'ah.
The two calls to prayer on Friday
- The first adhan is given outside the mosque, in a high place, right when Zuhr time begins. It tells everyone it is time to come to the mosque.
- The second adhan is given inside the mosque, right in front of the imam, once he has sat down on the pulpit ready to start the sermon. It tells the people already inside to stop talking and listen.
Both calls to prayer, and the iqamah too, are confirmed sunnah on Friday. The iqamah is said after the sermon finishes.
As soon as the first adhan on Friday is heard, every Muslim (who has to attend Jumu'ah) must stop what they are doing and head to the mosque. Buying, selling or doing other work at this point is not allowed.
Where Jumu'ah can validly be held, calling the adhan and iqamah for a Zuhr prayer instead is severely disliked (makruh tahrimi), whether the person had a real excuse to miss Jumu'ah or not, and whether they pray it before or after Jumu'ah has finished.
Answering the calls to prayer
- It is sunnah to answer the first adhan (repeat the words quietly).
- You do not have to answer the second adhan.
- It is recommended to answer the iqamah.
As with the five daily prayers, the adhan on Friday is a confirmed sunnah, but Friday carries a second adhan as well, also sunnah.
The two calls to prayer on Friday
- The first adhan is given once the sun has passed its zenith, at the time of Zuhr, outside the mosque in a high place, so that people can be called to assemble.
- The second adhan is given inside the mosque, in front of the imam once he has taken his seat on the pulpit to deliver the sermon, so those already inside know to leave off extra prayers and fall silent.
Saying the iqamah for the Friday prayer is likewise sunnah; it is said once the sermon is complete.
On hearing the first adhan of Friday, it is obligatory for all those addressed by Jumu'ah to leave their business and head to the mosque; engaging in buying, selling, or any other work at this point is not permissible.
Where all the conditions for a valid Jumu'ah exist in a place, calling the adhan and iqamah there for a Zuhr prayer instead is severely disliked (makruh tahrimi), regardless of whether the person praying Zuhr had a valid excuse, and regardless of whether they pray it before or after Jumu'ah concludes.
Answering the calls to prayer
- Responding to the first adhan of Friday is sunnah.
- Responding to the second adhan is not necessary.
- Responding to the iqamah is recommended.
The adhan on Friday is, as with the five daily prayers, sunnah mu'akkadah; uniquely, a second adhan is added, also sunnah mu'akkadah.
The two calls to prayer on Friday
- The first adhan is called at the start of Zuhr time, once the sun has passed its zenith, outside the mosque in an elevated place, for the general assembling of the people.
- The second adhan is called inside the mosque, before the imam, once he has taken his seat on the minbar to deliver the khutbah; its purpose is to signal to those already inside to leave off nafl prayers and observe silence.
The iqamah for the Friday prayer is sunnah mu'akkadah as well, and is called only once the khutbah has been completed.
Upon the first adhan of Friday, it becomes obligatory upon everyone addressed by the obligation of Jumu'ah to abandon trade and proceed to the mosque; transacting business, or engaging in any other worldly occupation, from this point is not permissible; the basis for this is the Qur'anic command to leave off trade at the call to prayer.
Where all the conditions for the validity of Jumu'ah are present in a locality, calling the adhan and iqamah there for Zuhr instead is makruh tahrimi; this holds whether the person offering Zuhr had a shar'i excuse for missing Jumu'ah or not, and whether the Zuhr is offered before Jumu'ah or after it has concluded.
Answering the calls to prayer
- Responding to the first adhan of Friday is sunnah.
- Responding to the second adhan is not required.
- Responding to the iqamah is mustahabb.
Related
- The conditions for the Eid prayers The Eid prayer shares its conditions with Jumu'ah, but differs on the sermon, the adhan and iqamah, and where it may be held.
- The method of offering the Friday sermon and prayer The rak'ahs of Jumu'ah in order, the intention to use, who may lead, and step by step how the imam moves from the sermon into the prayer.
- The rules of adhan and iqamah, and when an adhan counts Who must call the adhan, when it is and isn't required, and the four conditions that make an adhan valid.
- The rulings of the Eid sermon The Eid khutbah follows the Friday sermon's rules with three exceptions: no sitting first, an opening and closing takbir, and its own subject matter.