Reward for Walking to Jumuʿah Prayer

Question: What is the reward for walking to Jumuʿah prayer on Friday?

Summary:

Important Notes: • "Walks and does not ride": The scholars said, this indicates the virtue of walking oneself, unless riding is difficult, in which case he will have the reward for the intention, by Allah’s permission. • "Draws near to the imam": He should not sit at the back of the masjid except with an excuse. • "Does not engage in idle talk": Whoever talks during the khuṭbah or distracts others, his reward is nullified. We ask Allah to make us among those who hasten to Jumuʿah and acts of obedience, and to grant us the great reward in this world and the next.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

From the Sunnah:

  • Ṣaḥīḥ al‑Bukhārī: 929, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 850aNarrated by Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه):
    The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "When it is a Friday, the angels stand at the gate of the mosque and keep on writing the names of the persons coming to the mosque in succession according to their arrivals. The example of the one who enters the mosque in the earliest hour is that of one offering a camel (in sacrifice). The one coming next is like one offering a cow and then a ram and then a chicken and then an egg respectively. When the Imam comes out (for Jumua prayer) they (i.e. angels) fold their papers and listen to the Khutba."
  • Sunan Abū Dāwūd 345, and authenticated by al-Albānī, Ibn Khuzaymah, Ibn Ḥibbān, al-Ḥākim, and al-NawawīNarrated Aws ibn Aws ath-Thaqafi (رضي الله عنه):
    I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: If anyone makes (his wife) wash and he washes himself on Friday, goes out early (for Friday prayer), attends the sermon from the beginning, walking, not riding, takes his seat near the imam, listens attentively, and does not indulge in idle talk, he will get the reward of a year's fasting and praying at night for every step he takes.

From the Scholars:

  • Ibn Rajab al-Ḥanbalī said in Fatḥ al-Bārī (6/7):
    "In this ḥadīth is the greatness of the reward for walking to Jumuʿah for the one who fulfills these descriptions, and that every step is equal to standing in prayer at night and fasting during the day. It is a tremendous reward indicating the virtue of this ritual."
  • Ibn al-Qayyim said in Zād al-Maʿād (1/383):
    "Reflect on his ﷺ statement, 'walks and does not ride', in it is an encouragement to walk to Jumuʿah, because it multiplies the reward, unlike the one who rides. He has a reward, but not like the one who walks."

Summary of the Reward for Walking to Jumuʿah: 1. Every step to the masjid on Friday, if the conditions are fulfilled (ghusl, going early, walking, listening, avoiding idle talk) • It is like the night prayer and fasting of a whole year. 2. Going early during the first five hours • A great reward depending on how early (camel, cow, ram, chicken, egg). According to the Way of the Salaf: "Whoever knows this ḥadīth, believes in it, and acts upon it, he is upon the Sunnah and has been guided to a straight path."

And Allah knows best.

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