What is the philosophy behind Friday Prayer?

One of the kinds of prayer in Islam is Friday prayer, a congregational prayer in which the Muslims gather on Friday and after listening to two sermons, perform two Rak’ats in congregation. This prayer is obligatory at the time of the presence of the infallibles, i.e. the Prophet of Islam and his infallible vicegerents i.e. 12 Imams, but now that is the time of occultation of the twelfth Imam, there is a difference in the decrees of the Maraji(Islamic experts) but most of them do not see it as obligatory, like the time of the presence of the infallibles.

Let’s see what are the philosophies behind such a prayer?

This prayer is a big gathering of the Muslims for a religious program and we can say that it is the biggest gathering after Hajj.

The holy Prophet of Islam said:

“Friday is the Hajj for those who are not able to perform Hajj”.

The imam of Friday prayer, before performing prayer, gives two sermons in which many useful and beneficial subjects are posed, the first sermon is for religious issues and the second is for politics and the events of Islamic society and the world.

So apart from the benefits that we can catch from participating in this prayer, as a worship, (just like every Ibadah and worship that has many benefits like getting close to Allah and growing spiritually, and cleaning the inside and removing the darkness of negligence), we get aware of the events of our society and the political analysis.

In the beginning of both sermons, the subject of Taqwa (which means God-fearing and feeling ourselves in the presence of Allah and observing His obligations and prohibitions) is advised and discussed.

In the first sermon, some of the imams of Friday prayer, present the exegesis of the holy Quran or the exegesis of Nahjol Balagha(which is a book in which the words and sermons and letters of Imam Ali peace be upon him have been compiled) or other beneficial religious subjects.

Through the second sermon, the imam of this prayer, talks about some political or social issues and analyzes them, like the situations of Islamic society and the world or descriptions of happening events or dangers that might threaten the Islamic society etc.

Because this prayer is performed in a place in which many Muslims gather, it is known as a public tribune, so there are different social programs which sometimes are held there, for example some times before starting the sermons of  the imam of prayer, some political individuals have speeches about different social and political issues.

Sometimes before this program or after the prayer, the Muslims participate in some demonstrations like what takes place in the day of Quds in which the Muslims show their protection for the oppressed people of Palestine or other places around the world, so it is another benefit of this important religious gathering.

This gathering can be a means for the unity among Muslims, because you see that in this prayer, the people that might not be present in the congregational prayer during the week, participate in Friday prayer.

Beside this program, you can see some places that are specified and prepared for the financial helps for the needy people in the society or in the other countries.

This gathering adds to the mobility of the Muslims, and it is a way for visiting and getting aware of each other.

So for all of these mentioned benefits, you see that the enemies of Islam are always afraid of this stronghold.

This prayer throughout the Islamic history has been used as a kind of powerful political stronghold for the governments, so we see that in the right governments like the government of the holy Prophet of Islam or Imam Ali peace be upon them, they were using this gathering in the best possible way and the wrong government also were using it, but as a misuse for achieving their wishes.

Sometimes the enemies of Islam design vicious plans against Muslims, but just one Friday prayer, removes and destroys those evil plans, because of the knowledge that Muslims get through this religious program.

In the hope that the twelfth Imam will come and the Friday prayer will be performed behind him.

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Source:Tebyan.net