Jumah

Jumah, often transliterated as Jumu'ah, Jumāh, or Jummah, is the weekly Friday congregational prayer in Islam. The term comes from Arabic for “gathering” and refers to the organized assembly of the Muslim community for worship and remembrance of God. The practice centers on a khutbah (sermon) delivered by an imam, followed by a two-rak’ah prayer performed in congregation. The khutbah is traditionally in two parts, and attentive listening is emphasized for those present.

In most Muslim communities, the Jumah prayer takes place around the early part of the afternoon, during a time roughly after the sun has passed its zenith and before the regular Zuhr prayer ends the window. For adult male Muslims who are able to attend within a settled Muslim community, attendance is obligatory in many Sunni traditions; women and others may attend if they wish, but it is not universally required for them. Travelers, the sick, and those with valid reasons may perform the regular Zuhr prayer instead. Variations exist among different schools of thought and local practice.

Jumah holds social and religious significance as a weekly communal gathering that strengthens ties, fosters communal worship, and provides a dedicated time for reflection. The Qur’an references the obligation and merit of attending Friday prayers in verses such as 62:9–11, which urge believers to hasten to the remembrance of God when the call to prayer is issued. Observance occurs in mosques worldwide and adapts to language, culture, and local customs; in many regions, Friday also influences work or school schedules due to its religious importance.