The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "One of the best of your days is Friday. On this day, Adam was created and on this day he died, on this day the Trumpet will be blown, and on this day all creatures will swoon. So send a great deal of salah upon me on this day, for your salah will be presented to me." They said: "O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), how will our salah be presented to you when you have decomposed (after death)?" He said: "Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the prophets, peace be upon them."
The Virtues of Friday in Islamic Tradition
This noble hadith from Sunan an-Nasa'i (1374) establishes Friday (Jumu'ah) as possessing exceptional spiritual significance in the Islamic calendar, being distinguished by momentous events in cosmic history.
The Prophet ﷺ enumerates four great occurrences that transpire on Friday: the creation of Adam (the father of humanity), his earthly demise, the future blowing of the Trumpet (as-Sur) signaling the Day of Resurrection, and the swooning of all creation. This establishes Friday as a day of profound divine decree, life, death, and ultimate accountability.
The Command for Abundant Salawat
The command to "send a great deal of salah upon me" refers to invoking blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ using formulations like "Allahumma salli 'ala Muhammad." This is a specific act of worship particularly emphasized for Fridays.
The divine promise that "your salah will be presented to me" indicates a continuous spiritual connection between the Muslim ummah and the Prophet ﷺ, transcending his physical departure from this world. This presentation occurs in a manner known to Allah, affirming the Prophet's living status in the barzakh (intermediate realm).
The Preservation of Prophetic Bodies
The Companions' question reflects their understanding of natural physical decomposition. The Prophet's response reveals a special divine decree: "Allah has forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the prophets."
This ruling, established in The Book of Jumu'ah (Friday Prayer) of Sunan an-Nasa'i, forms part of Islamic creed regarding the honored status of all prophets. Their bodies remain intact in their graves as a sign of Allah's protection and honor bestowed upon His chosen messengers, peace be upon them all.