When should the Business be closed on Fridays

Q: Salaah-690: At what time should we close our businesses on Friday afternoons when we usually do? Zawaal is presently at 12:25pm, Adhaan is at 1:00pm and the Khutbah is at 1:10pm.

Answer: The Ahadeeth cite great virtues for Fridays and it has been ranked higher than the days of Eid as well. It is best therefore to start preparing for the Jumu'ah salaah from the morning by taking a bath, wearing good clothes, applying perfume, reciting Surah Kahaf and then proceeding to the Masjid as soon as possible. There, one should engage in Nawaafil salaah, Salaatut Tasbeeh, recitation of the Qur'aan, Dhikr, Durood and other acts of worship. Meals should be taken after the Jumu'ah salaah, after which the business should be opened.

If this is not possible or too difficult, one must at least close the business early enough to be able to take a bath, change clothing, apply perfume and still reach the Masjid before the first Adhaan.

One will be blessed in proportion to the honour one accords to the Friday and how much importance one gives to the salaah according to the Sunnah. And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

Fatawa Rahimiyyah vol.2