Friday has always been my favourite day of the week. I learnt the other day that it is my granddaughter Imam’s favourite day too. I asked her why was it her favourite day and she responded that it meant the weekend was coming and she did not have to follow routine. I thought ditto for me too.

We all know the saying “TGIF”. Fridays are my favourite day of the week because it lends hope that I will get some rest and relaxation on the upcoming weekend (which often proves to be a myth).

I love Fridays as well because it is the Muslim day of congregational worship, where Muslims attend Jumu’ah prayers together. The Imam delivers a spiritual khutbah (sermon) which is aimed at giving guidance from the Koran and Hadith. Friday is like my fuel-up day when I fill my spiritual tank for the entire week.

Aws ibn Aws (RA) also reported, The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Among the most excellent of your days is Friday. On it Adam (AS) was created, on it, he died, on it, the last trumpet will be blown and on it, the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings upon me on it, for your blessings will be presented to me.”

Therefore, Muslims are advised to send as many blessings on the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as possible. Muslims should also ask for forgiveness and prepare for the Day of Judgment, as it will be a Friday when the final trumpet will be blown, the dead will be resurrected and everyone will be awarded with Heaven or punished with Hell. This is the belief of the Muslims.

The Arabic word for Friday is Yawm al-Jumu’ah, which literally means the “day of gathering”. Muslims greet each other on Fridays with the greeting of Jumu’ah Mubarak (happy Friday/have a blessed Friday) and the response is Jumu’ah Kareem (the same to you).

The following Hadith confirms Friday as a blessed day: “Allah led those who came before us astray from Friday. Saturday was for the Jews and Sunday was for the Christians.“ (Ibn Majah)

This is due to previous nations disputing about this issue:

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “We (Muslims) are the last (to come) but (will be) the foremost on the Day of Resurrection, though the former nations were given the Scriptures before us. Then, this was their day (Friday) that was prescribed for them, but they differed about it.

“So Allah gave us the guidance for it (Friday) and all the other people are behind us in this respect: the Jews’ (holy day is) tomorrow and the Christians’ is the day after tomorrow.” (Bukhari and Muslim)

Allah only mentions two days of the week in the Noble Koran, namely Saturday and Friday. Below is the only ayah that specifically mentions Friday by name: “O believers! When the call to prayer is made on Friday (Jumu’ah), then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave off business. That is best for you, if only you knew.” 62:9

Not only does Allah mention Friday, He also named an entire Surah after it, namely Chapter 62, Surah al-Jumu’ah. This shows the great importance of this day with our Lord.

So yes, Fridays are to celebrated, a day to give praise and seek mercy from the God of Compassion and Mercy Allah, the most merciful.

May all your Fridays be blessed. Ameen. As salaam alaikum.

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah Team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam