In addition to the five daily prayers, there is also a Friday (Juma) prayer that must be performed. Fridays, in place of the noon prayer, a congregation offers this prayer with a sermon.
Juma/Friday Prayer Times Abu Dhabi
TODAY’S Abu Dhabi FRIDAY PRAYER TIME: 13:15 / 01:15PM
Friday prayer, also known as Jummah prayer, is a significant religious event for Muslims around the world. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Friday prayer holds a special place in the hearts of the Muslim community. It is a time when families, friends, and neighbors come together to pray, share blessings, and renew their faith.
Friday prayer timings in the UAE are determined by the UAE’s General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments. The authority sets the timing of Friday prayer based on the time of the noon prayer, which is also known as Dhuhr prayer. The Friday prayer is usually held in the afternoon, and the timing is adjusted throughout the year based on the changing seasons.
In the UAE, the call to prayer is made five times a day by the muezzin, who recites the adhan, the Islamic call to prayer, from the mosque’s minaret. The adhan is a beautiful and melodious recitation that invites the faithful to come to the mosque and worship Allah.
On Fridays, the mosques in the UAE are usually crowded, and worshippers are advised to arrive early to secure a place for prayer. Friday prayer is mandatory for Muslim men, and they are encouraged to attend the prayer in congregation. Women are also welcome to attend the prayer, but they are not obligated to do so.
The Friday prayer consists of a sermon, which is delivered by the imam, followed by the congregational prayer. The imam’s sermon is an important part of the Friday prayer, and it usually lasts for around 20 to 30 minutes. The imam delivers the sermon in Arabic, but some mosques offer translations in other languages for non-Arabic speakers.
The Friday prayer timings in the UAE vary throughout the year due to the changing seasons. During the summer months, the Friday prayer is held earlier in the afternoon to avoid the scorching heat. However, during the winter months, the Friday prayer is held later in the afternoon to coincide with the time of the Dhuhr prayer.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments provides the Friday prayer timings for all mosques in the UAE. The timings are usually published in local newspapers, on the authority’s website, and on social media platforms. It is also common for mosques to display the Friday prayer timings on notice boards outside the mosque.
In conclusion, Friday prayer is an important religious event for Muslims in the UAE. It is a time when the Muslim community comes together to renew their faith, seek blessings, and pray for the well-being of their families and loved ones. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs and Endowments plays a significant role in determining the Friday prayer timings, ensuring that the Muslim community can observe this important event in the most convenient and appropriate manner.
Allah says in Qur’an:
O you who have faith! When the call is made for prayer on Friday, hurry toward the remembrance of God, and leave all business. That is better for you, should you know. And when the prayer is finished, disperse through the land and seek God’s grace, and remember God greatly so that you may be successful.
Qur’an, Surah Al-Juma (62), Ayahs 9-10