The Book of Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer) - Sunan an-Nasa'i

Hadith Reference: Sunan an-Nasa'i 1367

Hadith Text

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'We are the last (to come) but will be the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, but they were given the Book before us and we were given it after them. They differed concerning this day which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, had prescribed for them and Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, guided us to"--meaning Friday--"so the people follow us, the Jews the next day and the Christians the day after that.'"

Commentary on Chronological Sequence

The phrase "We are the last but will be the foremost" signifies that although the Muslim Ummah appeared historically later than previous nations, they will attain precedence in the Hereafter through divine favor and adherence to truth.

"They were given the Book before us" refers to the Jews and Christians who received divine scriptures prior to the revelation of the Qur'an, yet failed to preserve their original teachings.

Divine Guidance Regarding Friday

The core teaching reveals how previous communities disputed about the designated day of worship despite clear divine instruction. Allah specially guided Muslims to Jumu'ah (Friday), establishing it as the weekly congregational day.

The sequence mentioned - Muslims on Friday, Jews on Saturday (Sabbath), and Christians on Sunday - demonstrates both the historical development of worship days and Allah's particular blessing upon the Muslim community.

Spiritual Significance

This hadith emphasizes that true honor comes not from temporal precedence but from divine guidance and obedience. The Muslim Ummah's distinction lies in following Allah's prescribed path without alteration.

Jumu'ah thus becomes a weekly reminder of Allah's favor upon this Ummah and a symbol of unity in worship, contrasting with the divisions of previous nations.