The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba."
Hadith Commentary: The Excellence of Early Arrival for Friday Prayer
This noble hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari (929) reveals profound wisdom regarding the spiritual hierarchy of attendance for the Friday congregational prayer. The angels' meticulous recording demonstrates Allah's infinite mercy in rewarding every step taken toward His remembrance.
The Spiritual Hierarchy of Rewards
The graduated rewards - from camel to egg - illustrate the principle of divine generosity where earlier attendance corresponds to greater spiritual compensation. This metaphorical scale reflects the diminishing opportunity for additional voluntary worship as prayer time approaches.
Scholars explain that these sacrificial animals represent levels of spiritual reward (thawāb), not literal obligations. The earliest comers receive reward equivalent to sacrificing the most valuable animal, demonstrating how highly Allah values those who prioritize His remembrance.
Angelic Functions and Their Significance
The angels' transition from recording names to listening to the khutbah indicates the shift from individual merit to collective obligation. Once the Imam ascends the pulpit, the community's unified attention to religious instruction becomes paramount.
This angelic behavior teaches us the proper etiquette of Friday prayer: arriving early maximizes individual reward, while attentive listening during khutbah fulfills the communal obligation and increases collective understanding.
Practical Applications for the Believer
This hadith encourages Muslims to plan their Fridays around the prayer, arriving at the mosque well before the khutbah begins. The spiritual competition described should motivate believers to seek the highest ranks through early attendance.
The cessation of recording when the Imam appears emphasizes the critical importance of the khutbah. Scholars stress that talking during khutbah nullifies the reward of early arrival, making silent attentiveness obligatory once the sermon commences.