The Book of Prayer - Friday

Sahih Muslim 850 b

Hadith Text

When it is Friday, the angels stand at every door of the mosque and record the people in the order of their arrival, and when the Imam sits (on the pulpit for delivering the sermon) they fold up their sheets (manuscripts of the Qur'an) and listen to the mention (of Allah). And he who comes early is like one who offers a she-camel as a sacrifice, the next like one who offers a cow, the next a ram, the next a hen, the next an egg.

Commentary on Angelic Presence

The angels are stationed at mosque entrances to record the merit of believers according to their arrival time. This demonstrates the divine honor bestowed upon Friday congregational prayer and the meticulous recording of good deeds.

When the Imam ascends the pulpit, the angels cease recording and join the congregation in listening to the khutbah. This signifies the supreme importance of attentively hearing the sermon, which contains reminders of Allah and guidance for the Ummah.

Gradation of Reward

The Prophet ﷺ illustrates the decreasing reward for later arrivals using sacrificial animals - from the most valuable (she-camel) to the least (egg). This metaphorical gradation emphasizes the immense spiritual benefit of early attendance.

This hierarchy motivates believers to hasten to the mosque, as the reward differs substantially based on one's punctuality. The earliest comers receive the greatest spiritual recompense, proportional to their sacrifice of time and effort.

Legal and Spiritual Implications

Scholars derive from this hadith the recommended practice of arriving early for Jumu'ah prayer and the obligation to listen attentively to the khutbah without distraction.

The recording angels and their folded scrolls indicate that the khutbah period requires complete attention, making extraneous conversation prohibited during this sacred time.