Fridays

Fridays are special days in Islam. Sometimes we get excited to do additional good deeds on Fridays, but it's still only 24 hours, and seemed insufficient especially when we don't have Friday weekends*. So which are the best deeds to prioritize?

There are a few acts recommended by the Prophet (pbuh):

Take a Bath

Sa'id al-Khudri reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Taking a bath on Friday is essential for every adult person. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

Narrated Samurah: If any one of you performs ablution (on Friday) that is all right; and if any of you takes a bath, that is better. (Sunan Abu Dawud)

"Every Muslim should have a ghusl on Friday and wear his best clothing, and if he has perfume, he should use it.” (Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, and Muslim)

Go Early to the Masjid

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: 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. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)

"O you who believe (Muslims)! When the call is proclaimed for the Salât (prayer) on Friday (Jumu‘ah prayer), come to the remembrance of Allâh [Jumu‘ah religious talk (Khutbah) and Salât (prayer)] and leave off business (and every other thing). That is better for you if you did but know!" (Al-Jumu'ah/62:9)

Keep Silence during the Khutbah

Abu-Huraira reported Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who took a bath and then came for Jumu'a prayer and then prayed what was fixed for him, then kept silence till the Imam finished the sermon, and then prayed along with him, his sins between that time and the next Friday would be forgiven, and even of three days wore. (Sahih Muslim)

Make Lots of Prayer and Du'aa especially after Asr

“On this day there is an hour when no Muslim slave stands and prays and asks Allah for something, but Allah will give it to him,” and he gestured with his hand to indicate that whatever he asks for, is as nothing to Allah. (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

"Seek the hour in which prayers are likely to be answered, on Friday after `Asr (mid-afternoon) prayer, until the sun goes down." (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)”

Recite Surah Al-Kahf

Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) quoted the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) as saying: “Whoever reads surat Al-Kahf on the day of Jumu`ah (Friday), a light will shine for him from beneath his feet to the clouds of the sky, which will shine for him on the Day of Resurrection, and he will be forgiven (his sins) between the two Fridays.”

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(A Bukhari collection of some ahadith on this subject is available here)

Nonetheless, small amount of deeds but done steadfastly is better than big ones in few. And good deeds are best done ASAP so don't wait til next Friday to load all your good deeds! :-)

* Think why we should not have Friday weekends instead of Sunday weekends..
“We (Muslims) are the last (of the nations) but (we will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, although the former nations were given their scriptures before us and we were given ours after them. And this (Friday) is the day concerning which they disputed. So Allah guided us (to it), tomorrow (i.e., Saturday) is for the Jews and the day after (i.e., Sunday) is for the Christians.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)