A A Zaura Foundation

For Muslims worldwide, Friday prayer, also known as Jumu’ah, is a central part of the week. While the prayer itself is a source of immense blessings, a timeless tradition from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) reminds us of the extraordinary rewards reserved for those who arrive early.

According to a narration from the companion Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) described the angels at the gates of the masjid. On Fridays, these angels are tasked with a special duty: they record the names of everyone who enters, noting the order in which they arrive. Once the Imam begins the sermon (Khutbah), the angels roll up their scrolls and listen.

The Prophet then explained the profound rewards for this punctuality:

• The person who comes earliest is like one who has sacrificed a camel for the sake of Allah.
• The one who follows is like one who has sacrificed a cow.
• The one who comes after that is like one who has sacrificed a ram.

This continues, with each subsequent person receiving a reward equivalent to sacrificing a chicken, and finally, an egg.

This beautiful imagery serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of valuing every moment we have to earn closeness to Allah. It encourages us to make a conscious effort to prepare for and attend Jumu’ah prayer not just on time, but with a sense of urgency and purpose, knowing that our sincere efforts are being recorded and rewarded.