Hadith Text

He heard Abu Hurairah say: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'The best day on which the sun rises is Friday. On this day, Adam, peace be upon him, was created, on this day he was admitted to Paradise, and on this day he was taken out of it.'"

Commentary on the Virtues of Friday

This noble hadith establishes the immense virtue and distinction of Friday (Yawm al-Jumu'ah) over all other days of the week. The Prophet (ﷺ) declared it the "best day," indicating its superior spiritual status. This excellence is rooted in the momentous events of sacred history that occurred on this day concerning our father, Adam (عليه السلام).

The three events mentioned form a complete cycle of human destiny: creation, elevation, and the test of earthly life. Adam's creation on Friday signifies the honor with which Allah began humanity. His admission into Paradise demonstrates the ultimate divine promise of reward for the righteous. His exit therefrom, while a consequence of his choice, initiated the human journey of repentance and return to Allah, a journey for which Friday becomes a weekly opportunity for renewal and forgiveness.

Scholarly Insights

The scholars explain that the wisdom behind specifying these three events is to remind the believer of the entirety of the human condition: our noble origin, our ultimate goal, and the transient nature of this world as a testing ground. Remembering Adam's exit from Paradise every Friday instills humility and encourages seeking forgiveness, especially since it is narrated that repentance is readily accepted on this day.

Furthermore, the phrase "the sun rises" is significant. It is not merely a temporal marker but an allusion to the light of guidance. Just as the physical sun illuminates the world, Friday brings with it a unique spiritual light and an opportunity for divine mercy, culminating in the Friday Prayer (Salat al-Jumu'ah), which is an obligation that gathers the Muslim community.

Practical Implications

Acknowledging this virtue should translate into action. The believer should honor Friday by increasing in worship, recitation of the Qur'an, sending blessings upon the Prophet (ﷺ), and making abundant supplications, particularly in the last hour of the day when there is a time when du'a is accepted. One should also prepare for it by performing ghusl (ritual bath), wearing clean clothes, and using perfume, following the Sunnah of the Prophet (ﷺ).

This hadith, from Sunan an-Nasa'i in The Book of Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer), serves as a profound weekly reminder of our origin, our purpose, and our final return to our Lord, making Friday a day of spiritual reawakening for every Muslim.